Arizona man charged with drunken driving after traffic stop near Sioux Center

Sioux Center, Iowa — A Yuma, Arizona, man was arrested for drunken driving after a traffic stop near Sioux Center.

Michael Walker, 37, of Yuma, Arizona, is charged with driving while intoxicated, according to a complaint filed with the Sioux County Court Clerk's Office by the county sheriff's office. He was arrested Sunday.

In his statement, the officer said the vehicle was stopped on suspicion of a traffic violation. The officer noticed bloodshot and watery eyes and the odor of alcohol. He said Walker had slurred speech and “highly variable” emotions. He said Walker refused all tests.

Iowa's implied consent law means that any person operating a motor vehicle in the state agrees to submit to a blood, breath and/or urine test to determine the level of alcohol or the presence of drugs, whenever a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person is driving under the influence of alcohol. If the person refuses, the refusal could be used as evidence against the person at trial.

Because he had two prior convictions, the drunken driving charge was upgraded to a Class D felony. If convicted, Walker faces up to five years in prison.

He will be heard on Monday during a preliminary hearing on this charge.

Walker was booked into the Sioux County Jail in Orange City and released the next day after posting $3,000 bail.