Joplin Police arrest high school English teacher for drunk driving

A Miami High School English teacher is free after posting $2,000 bond after being charged in Jasper County Circuit Court with driving while intoxicated.

Elaine Wurst, 56, who a media specialist for the Carthage R-9 School District before taking the Miami job, was charged following an 11:10 p.m. April 5 traffic stop for multiple violations near the intersection of Demott Drive and Tabor Main Road.

From the probable cause statement:

While speaking with Elaine, she was slurring her speech and mumbling. I also smelled the odor of intoxicants coming from Elaine's breath.

Elaine agreed to perform standard field sobriety tests. I asked Elaine if she had drunk alcohol and she stated she had. I performed horizontal gaze nystagmus and observed all clues of impairment in both of her eyes.

I attempted to begin the walk and turn test. Elaine was unable to perform the test as she was unable to stand in the starting position without falling over. I began the one leg stand test. Elaine began the test but was unable to keep her foot in the air for longer than a short period of time.

On the final time Elaine lost her balance causing her to almost fall over and turn sideways.

Elaine was read her Miranda warning and stated she understood. She stated she had drunk alcohol throughout the night. She was read implied consent and provided a valid chemical breath sample on the Intoxylzer 8000 of 0.167& BrAC.