Fentanyl found during North Vernon traffic stop

(NORTH VERNON, Ind.) – North Vernon police officer Christopher Allen had just wrapped up Christmas parade duties and was on his way home. 

That’s when he was on State Road 7 and saw a vehicle acting erratic. He said the car had hazard lights on, while swerving left to right and then drifting into oncoming traffic. 

It led to a traffic stop where Allen said the driver, identified as Mark Austerman, had two indefinite suspensions of his license. 

Police say a search of the vehicle led them to discovery of fentanyl and methamphetamine. 

Officer Allen is being commended for his actions during the incident. 

“His alertness and quick actions may very well have kept a deadly dose of fentanyl from reaching someone in our community. I’m proud of his dedication—on duty or not, he continues to put the safety of our residents first,” said North Vernon Task Force Officer Graham Heffelfinger said.