2008/11/17

Merilyn Bouler died in a two-car crash here Friday night, she had cocaine in her coat pocket, police said Wednesday.Bouler, 39, an English teacher at Pierce Middle School in Merrillville, was being treated at The Methodist Hospitals emergency room in Gary when the cocaine was discovered.She died from blunt force trauma shortly after her car was hit broadside then slammed into a house at 19th Avenue and Taft Street about 11:30 p.m.Police described the amount of cocaine as small, "for personal use," and declined to elaborate further. The drug was confiscated by police, but the total weight was not released Wednesday.Results of her toxicology report won't be available for several more days, Lake County Coroner David Pastrick said.Bouler's son, Jonte Barber, 9, died in the crash, while her older son, Markel Evans, 11, was critically injured. The other driver, Felix Ross, was arrested for drunken driving after police obtained a .14 percent blood alcohol level. The standard for drunken driving in Indiana is .08 percent.Traffic investigators said they learned Ross was driving east and ran a red light as he crossed Taft Street at 19th Avenue. But Ross has told some people he had the right of way when he entered the intersection.The cars hit a traffic signal before Bouler's car crashed into the house. Firefighters had to cut occupants from the car before they could be treated for injuries.Co-workers, friends and students described Bouler as dedicated and faithful during memorials at her church and school this week.Funeral services for Bouler and her son are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church, 2457 Massachusetts St.

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