A local man arrested for driving while intoxicated, his second offense, after colliding with a utility pole Wednesday evening was reportedly found to have a blood-alcohol level over three times the legal limit.
David Allen Raper, 34, who lists an East Grand Avenue address, was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. and charged with DWI, second offense, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, and lesser charges of careless and prohibited driving and possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Raper remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $2,000 bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after 5 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer 1st Class Taylor Gates responded to a single-vehicle wreck in the 900 block of East Grand involving a gray 2004 Pontiac Vibe that had struck a utility pole.
Gates made contact with the driver, identified as Raper, and noted he had a strong odor of intoxicants coming from him and watery eyes. Raper reportedly admitted he had been drinking and claimed he consumed two beers earlier. Raper had allegedly told another officer a few minutes earlier he had three beers.
Gates noted Raper's speech was slurred and he was "staggering while on his feet," but he consented to three field sobriety tests which he reportedly failed. During the third test, Raper reportedly asked to be taken into custody and stated he was "messed up."
An open 12-ounce can of beer was located inside the vehicle that was partially consumed. Raper was taken into custody and taken to the Garland County Detention Center where he consented to a Breathalyzer test which reportedly registered his blood alcohol content at 0.241%, over three times the legal limit.
A computer check showed Raper was previously arrested for DWI on April 30, 2015, in Benton and convicted of the charge on June 4, 2015, in Benton District Court.
Local on 04/03/2020