Hunter
12/27/22
Passing a state trooper on I-380 Monday night led to a speeding ticket and drug charges against a Hiawatha man.
19-year-old Nicholas Bernard of Wolf Creek Trail was called in by a concerned citizen as a reckless driver on Highway 218 near the Highway 1 interchange, claiming he was speeding and swerving all over the road. A trooper observed Bernard pass him at the half-mile marker on 380 North going 100 miles per hour.
Bernard’s vehicle was stopped at the three mile marker, and he allegedly admitted to going as fast as 120 miles per hour at one point because a good song came on his stereo.
When asked for his registration, Bernard opened his glovebox, and a large amount of marijuana was reportedly in plain view. A subsequent search allegedly also turned up drug paraphernalia including a pipe and wax-making materials.
Bernard was arrested and taken to the Johnson County Jail, where he faces a controlled substance violation and possession of drug paraphernalia. If convicted on both counts, he could be sentenced to up to 13 months in jail.