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DWI Arrest

12/26/2017

 

DWI

 

At approximately 0600 hours on December 24, 2017 Deputy Luke Sorensen was dispatched to the 100 block of Hempstead 48 in reference to a vehicle blocking the roadway.

 

Upon arrival at approximately 6:24 am Deputy Sorensen observed a tan Lincoln Town car parked across the road, blocking any traffic coming through the road. Deputy Sorensen exited his patrol car and observed that the vehicle, was not running and appeared to have someone inside. Deputy Sorensen knocked on the driver’s door window but the subject, sitting in the driver’s seat, inside the vehicle did not move.

 

Deputy Sorensen finally got a response from the subject in the vehicle. Deputy Sorensen recognized the subject to be Wendell Witherspoon, who he had spoken to on past incidents. When Wendell opened the door to the vehicle Deputy Sorensen could smell a strong odor of intoxicating beverages coming from him when he spoke. The Deputy also observed an open "natural Light" beer can in the cup holder, a box of Natural Light beer cans, and a half gallon of vodka in the passenger floorboard of the car.

 

Deputy Sorensen asked Wendell what he was doing and he stated that he was "just sleeping". Wendell was slurring his words while as he was speaking with the deputy at that time. The Deputy asked Wendell to step out of the vehicle and also asked him how much he had to drink today. He stated that it had been a few hours since he drank anything but that he had been drinking. When Wendell exited the vehicle, The Deputy observed that the keys were in the ignition and the vehicle was still in drive, even though the motor was not running. Deputy Sorensen asked Wendell if he would perform a few tests for him to determine if he was impaired, he stated that he would. At this time Sorensen observed that the license plate on the vehicle was expired and asked Wendell why he was driving with expired tags. Wendell stated that he bought the car a few months ago from Morris Auction and hadn't been able to get it registered in his name yet. I observed a Morris Auction sticker on the car at this time.

 

Sorensen attempted to instruct Wendell on the test he needed him to perform, but he started arguing that he was in his driveway and not on the road. Deputy Sorensen advised him that he was parked in the middle of the road and not in his driveway. Deputy Sorensen asked Wendell to stand in front of him so he could perform the tests. Wendell then took a step away from the deputy and again stated that he was in his driveway. Deputy Sorensen then advised Wendell to turn around and place his hands behind his back. Deputy Sorensen advised Wendell that since he would not comply with taking the test he was being placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The Deputy placed Wendell in handcuffs, checking for proper fit and double locking.

 

Sorensen booked Wendell WITHERSPOON age 37 of Hope, Arkansas for driving while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license, and failing to pay registration. He was issued citation #200655 with a court date of January 29, 2018. Wendell was then turned over to the on-duty jail staff to be booked in on his aforementioned charges.