APD: Driver Passes Out, Crashes Through Fence
By: Officer George Spindler, APD
Updated: January 17, 2013
Wednesday afternoon at about 2:45, Officers John Lopez and Chris Volirakis responded to a theft call at a business in the 4300 block of Southwest Drive. APD dispatch was notified by a loss prevention employee that two male suspects had just committed a theft and fled from him when he attempted to contact them as they were leaving the store. The employee provided suspect descriptions and officers were able to locate the suspects in the 4600 block of Clover Street. The two male suspects were detained during the preliminary investigation. Suspect #1 identified himself, but then provided a different name. Suspect #1 had identified himself initially with his brother's name. The investigation revealed that both men passed all points of sale and were leaving the store while possessing merchandise that had a total value of approximately $118. A records check further confirmed that Suspect #1 had an outstanding arrest warrant for felony burglary of a Building. Suspect #1 was arrested for the felony warrant and for two misdemeanor offenses: Failure to Identify, and Theft. Suspect #2 was arrested for misdemeanor Theft.
Wednesday night at about 9, Officers Matt Clopton and Edward Cutbirth responded to a motor vehicle crash at a residence in the 2400 block of Campus Court. A concerned citizen notified APD dispatch that a red truck had crashed through a fence and that the vehicle driver was passed out at the wheel. Officers arrived on scene and began their preliminary investigation. Officer Clopton contacted a witness and learned that the red truck was traveling eastbound in the 600 block of E. Ambler Avenue when it crossed westbound traffic lanes before driving over the curb and colliding with a pipe barrier. The truck continued traveling eastbound where the truck then struck a fence, then a shed, and then came to a stop after colliding with the house. Officer Cutbirth contacted a male subject who was identified as the driver. The driver told Officer Cutbirth that his steering locked up and caused him to crash. Officer Cutbirth observed that the driver displayed indicators of intoxication. The investigation revealed that the driver was allegedly medicated. The driver conducted field sobriety tests which he performed poorly. The driver was arrested and provided a blood specimen. A records check revealed that the driver a had previous conviction for DWI. The driver was arrested for the enhanced misdemeanor offense of DWI based on the previous conviction. Damage to the house was characterized as significant. The driver was not injured and was the sole occupant of the vehicle. This investigation continues.
Wednesday night at about 10:10, Officer Brady Broyles attempted to contact a motorist in the 900 block of Grape Street after observing the motorist make a traffic violation. Officer Broyles activated his emergency lights during this traffic stop, but the vehicle failed to stop. Officer Broyles continued following the vehicle around a turn when he then observed the driver's arm extend out the driver's window. The subject continued driving until finally stopping in the 500 block of Merchant Street. The driver exited the vehicle and began running away. Officer Broyles commanded the male subject to stop on multiple occasions, but the subject continued running until being caught and placed under arrest in the 1800 block of North 5 Street. Sgt. Kevin Ohnheiser assisted in this investigation and located a baggie at the area where the driver had taken the turn and extended his arm. The preliminary investigation revealed that the baggie contained a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. A records check revealed that the male subject had been previously convicted for evading police. The subject was arrested for three felony offenses: Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine); Evading Arrest; and Tampering with Evidence. The subject was also arrested for the misdemeanor offense of Fleeing to Elude.
Wednesday night at about 9, Officers Matt Clopton and Edward Cutbirth responded to a motor vehicle crash at a residence in the 2400 block of Campus Court. A concerned citizen notified APD dispatch that a red truck had crashed through a fence and that the vehicle driver was passed out at the wheel. Officers arrived on scene and began their preliminary investigation. Officer Clopton contacted a witness and learned that the red truck was traveling eastbound in the 600 block of E. Ambler Avenue when it crossed westbound traffic lanes before driving over the curb and colliding with a pipe barrier. The truck continued traveling eastbound where the truck then struck a fence, then a shed, and then came to a stop after colliding with the house. Officer Cutbirth contacted a male subject who was identified as the driver. The driver told Officer Cutbirth that his steering locked up and caused him to crash. Officer Cutbirth observed that the driver displayed indicators of intoxication. The investigation revealed that the driver was allegedly medicated. The driver conducted field sobriety tests which he performed poorly. The driver was arrested and provided a blood specimen. A records check revealed that the driver a had previous conviction for DWI. The driver was arrested for the enhanced misdemeanor offense of DWI based on the previous conviction. Damage to the house was characterized as significant. The driver was not injured and was the sole occupant of the vehicle. This investigation continues.
Wednesday night at about 10:10, Officer Brady Broyles attempted to contact a motorist in the 900 block of Grape Street after observing the motorist make a traffic violation. Officer Broyles activated his emergency lights during this traffic stop, but the vehicle failed to stop. Officer Broyles continued following the vehicle around a turn when he then observed the driver's arm extend out the driver's window. The subject continued driving until finally stopping in the 500 block of Merchant Street. The driver exited the vehicle and began running away. Officer Broyles commanded the male subject to stop on multiple occasions, but the subject continued running until being caught and placed under arrest in the 1800 block of North 5 Street. Sgt. Kevin Ohnheiser assisted in this investigation and located a baggie at the area where the driver had taken the turn and extended his arm. The preliminary investigation revealed that the baggie contained a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. A records check revealed that the male subject had been previously convicted for evading police. The subject was arrested for three felony offenses: Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine); Evading Arrest; and Tampering with Evidence. The subject was also arrested for the misdemeanor offense of Fleeing to Elude.
