A Hot Springs man pleaded guilty in Garland County Circuit Court to multiple charges Monday for fleeing from Hot Springs police in a stolen truck last year while intoxicated.
Justin Alan Gerarden, 23, who had remained in custody since his arrest Nov. 19, 2017, pleaded guilty to felony counts of theft by receiving more than $25,000 and fleeing and was sentenced to three years' probation on each count, to run concurrently and fined $1,500.
Gerarden also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, his third offense, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, fined $900, ordered to pay $870 in court costs, had his driver's license suspended for 180 days and must complete an alcohol safety program. He was given credit for time served since his arrest, so he was released.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Nov. 19, shortly before 11 a.m., Hot Springs police Cpl. Zac Rosten saw Gerarden driving a blue Ford F150 down Richard Street when he disregarded a stop sign at an intersection. When Rosten attempted a traffic stop, Gerarden picked up speed and fled.
Gerarden continued fleeing in an "extremely dangerous manner," swerving back and forth in the roadway at a high rate of speed. He disobeyed four other stop signs, and passed vehicles over the double yellow line, forcing them off the roadway, the affidavit said.
The truck finally wrecked at the intersection of Summer and South Street, reportedly hitting a concrete wall after colliding with a crosswalk sign. Gerarden fled from the vehicle on foot, heading east on Noxon Street. He was apprehended in front of a residence in the 700 block of South Street.
Rosten noted Gerarden had a strong odor of intoxicants emitting from his person, slurred speech and appeared unsteady on his feet. When asked if he would complete a field sobriety test, Gerarden reportedly refused.
The truck, with an estimated value of $60,000, was determined to have been reported stolen the day before from the parking lot of Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, 2705 Central Ave.
Court records showed Gerarden was previously convicted of DWI on March 9, 2013, and Nov. 3, 2017, both in Garland County.
Local on 04/03/2018