SHELBY COUNTY — The head coach of the No. 1 boys basketball team in Class 2A was arrested Monday night in Shelby County and faces a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI).
Joey Hart, coach of the Linton-Stockton Miners basketball team, was arrested Monday night and booked in the Shelby County jail.
According to the Shelbyville Police Department, Hart was reported by a witness to be swerving and crossing the center line while driving on West State Road 44.
Officers responded to the report and found a vehicle on West McKay Road. They observed the vehicle disregard a stop sign.
After stopping the vehicle, they identified Hart as the driver. Officers could smell a strong odor of alcohol from the vehicle and observed an open cup filled with beer.
Officers say Hart had blood shot eyes, slurred speech and poor balance.
When asked where he was, Hart said he was in "Clay City," to which officers advised him that he was in Shelbyville.
Police say Hart refused to take a sobriety test or a breathalyzer. Officers requested a search warrant in order to test Hart's blood before arresting him on OWI Charges.
This is Hart’s second alcohol-related arrest in the past three months.
In January, Hart was arrested in Clay County for public intoxication.
The No. 1 ranked Miners (27-1) are scheduled to take on Parke Heritage High School Saturday afternoon in the opening round of Semistate.
Dr. Kathy Goad, superintendent of Linton-Stockton School Corporation, released the following statement.
“Linton-Stockton High School Boys Basketball Coach, Joey Hart, has been suspended indefinitely. Assistant Coach Noah Hawkins will take over the head coaching duties immediately and until further notice. This will be the only statement released by the school corporation or persons within the school and basketball program on this action, as we are bound by policy on discussing Personnel matters.”
Hart was in his 13th season with the Miners basketball program. He previously has won two Semistate titles with the program.
He holds a 275-72 career head coaching record.
-
First Day Hike at Fort Harrison State Park on New Year's Day
First Day Hikes mark the start of the year and are meant to help hikers reconnect with nature and focus on their resolutions.
Hoosiers cleaning up homes hit by celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve
"Everything that goes up must come down." Police reports show multiple Hoosiers have damage after their homes were hit by stray bullets on New Year's Eve.
With the new year comes new resolutions, but will they last?
Have you previously ditched your New Year's resolutions within a few months? WRTV interviewed an expert who shared some advice on how to make them stick in 2025.
Occupant of Cybertruck killed in explosion outside Las Vegas Trump Hotel
According to officials, a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck pulled up to the Trump Hotel before exploding. One person is confirmed dead and seven others were injured, according to Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
