Drunk driver arrested on multiple charges

A reportedly intoxicated driver was arrested Saturday on felony and misdemeanor charges after allegedly fleeing from Hot Springs police and then resisting arrest, resulting in a confrontation with a police K-9.

Alvin Karado Smith, 23, who lists a Crestwood Street address, was charged with felony fleeing, punishable by up to six years in prison, and misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated, first offense, refusal to submit, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct and cited for failure to stop or yield, driving on a suspended license and no liability insurance.

He was later released on $4,750 bond and is set to appear July 10 in Garland County District Court.

According to the probable cause affidavit, around 1:15 p.m. Saturday, police Officer Jonathan Smith spotted a white 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix eastbound on West St. Louis Street that failed to stop at the stop sign as it turned onto Seventh Street, with the driver's side almost striking the ground due to the speed of the vehicle.

The officer followed the vehicle to Meadowbrook Street where he activated his lights and sirens to make a traffic stop, but the driver continued to Third Street and then to Crestwood Street without stopping.

The vehicle continued to the corner of Crestwood and Sonnet Street where it finally stopped and the driver, later identified as Alvin Smith, got out and "took an aggressive stance" facing the officer.

Officer Smith and his K-9 partner, Bear, got out and ordered Alvin Smith back into his car, but he allegedly refused and began yelling at the officer, "What I do?" and it was noted his speech was slurred. At one point, Alvin Smith reportedly began yelling, "Shoot me! Shoot me!"

Officer Smith held Bear at his side while continuing to order Alvin Smith back into his car. Other officers arrived to assist and also ordered him to comply without success. At that point, Officer Smith released Bear, who ran up to Alvin Smith but did not engage, and then came back to the officer's side.

Officer Smith pulled his Taser and pointed it at Alvin Smith. Then Cpl. Zac Rosten struck him with "a nonlethal impact round," but he still refused to comply. Rosten struck him a second time, causing him to fall to the ground.

At that point, officers and Bear attempted to detain Alvin Smith. At one point, Bear bit him on his left rear calf and while doing so, he grabbed Bear with both of his hands and tried to pull him off.

Officers were finally able to detain Alvin Smith and Officer Smith had Bear release from his bite. Officers noted he was unsteady on his feet, had red, watery eyes and a smell of alcohol on his breath. When asked if he had been drinking, he allegedly admitted he "had a couple."

Because Alvin Smith continued to be aggressive and resist, it was decided not to attempt any field sobriety tests and he reportedly refused a breathalyzer test. It was noted within plain sight in his vehicle there was an almost empty can of beer and another freshly opened can of beer.

LifeNet arrived and transported Alvin Smith to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs with an officer riding in the back of the ambulance due to his continued aggressive behavior. Once at the hospital, he continued to yell and curse at hospital staff so they finally gave him a sedative to calm him down.

The doctors said Alvin Smith's blood alcohol level was at such a dangerous level, approximately 0.305 percent, almost four times the legal limit, they wanted to keep him in their care until it returned to a normal level.

He was eventually released from the hospital and taken into custody shortly after 5:30 p.m. and transported to the detention center where he still continued to refuse to take a breathalyzer test. He reportedly kept saying, "I don't care. Just get me out of here."

• A Hot Springs woman was arrested early Saturday after wrecking her car at the corner of Central and Ouachita avenues, driving up on the large rocks surrounding Confederate Square to the point two of her tires were off the ground.

Maleny Herrera Mayen, 26, who lists a Bayles Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 3:30 a.m. and charged with DWI, first offense, and refusal to submit, both misdemeanors. She was later released on $4,000 bond and is set to appear July 10 in district court.

According to the affidavit, shortly after 3 a.m., police responded to the scene and made contact with Mayen, who was sitting on the curb next to the driver's side door of her vehicle. When asked what happened, she stated she had just left a bar downtown and was headed home.

Officers noted a strong odor of intoxicants on her breath and that she had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and was unstable on her feet. She reportedly stated she had two vodka and Red Bull drinks and thought she was OK to drive home.

While talking to the officers and LifeNet personnel, who had also responded, Mayen "continued to ask us about making drinks for her." Mayen was informed "several times" she was talking to police officers and medical staff, but she continued to ask for drinks.

Cpl. John Tinney administered one field sobriety test which she failed and due to the fact she was unable to stand during the test it was decided not to attempt any further tests. She submitted to a breathalyzer test which registered her blood alcohol content at 0.185 percent, more than twice the legal limit.

Once at the detention center, Mayen reportedly vomited "straight liquor" and continued to be sick so they were unable to administer a second breath test.

Local on 07/03/2018

Upcoming Events