Sheriff's report: Suspected drunk driver leads deputies on chase through Silver Creek

A 50-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of drunken driving after leading Summit County Sheriff's Office deputies on a brief chase through Silver Creek.

A witness called 911 around 9:22 a.m. to report that a man, believed to be intoxicated, entered a heavy-duty pickup truck in the Home Depot parking lot. He nearly hit a pedestrian near the rear of the business as he left the area, according to probable cause.

The man began driving southbound on US 40, swerving into oncoming traffic. A deputy arrived and found the driver was unable to maintain his or her lane of travel and was “putting the public at risk,” according to the report.

Emergency lights and sirens sounded, but the driver continued to drive erratically and refused to stop. Other law enforcement attempted to intercept the driver. Yet the man did not slow down.

Law enforcement decided to try a precision immobilization technique to disable the vehicle before the driver could reach SR 248. The deputy was successful and the man was arrested.

He appeared heavily intoxicated and was unable to maintain his balance or speak clearly. Deputies said he was “belligerent and uncooperative” with law enforcement. He was placed in the back of a police car.

Police searched his vehicle and found an almost empty bottle of vodka in the front passenger seat. A records check also revealed the man was an alcohol-restricted driver with prior drunk driving convictions within the past 10 years. The vehicle was also not insured, according to the sheriff's office.

No standardized field sobriety tests were conducted due to the evidence of intoxication and the man's combative nature.

He was arrested on six charges, including felony eluding, suspicion of driving while intoxicated, open container, reckless driving and operating a vehicle without insurance.

The Sheriff's Office responded to two additional calls between Monday, May 20 and Sunday, May 16. These included reports of an injury accident and an active arrest warrant.

Saturday May 25

Law enforcement responded to a hit-and-run at an intersection in Kimball Junction. A black SUV was seen running a red light by several people. The vehicle collided with a blue sedan and the driver's wrist was broken. The driver of the SUV went to a gas station to check on his car and left the scene. Deputies received a call later that afternoon from the man's uncle in hopes of resolving the situation. The driver met with law enforcement and admitted to running the red light because he was distracted by the singing. He told police he left the scene because he was scared and didn't know what to do. The 22-year-old man was placed under arrest and transported to the Summit County Jail.

Wednesday 22 May

Deputies approached a man parked in a Kimball Junction parking lot. A records check revealed he had an active warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Summit County Jail.