Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Driver Arrested After Running Into Building

   A Lawrenceburg man was taken into custody by law enforcement agents Sunday after he allegedly rammed into the side of a business while driving in an intoxicated state.

   Employees of the Dollar General Store located at 902 North Military Avenue summoned Lawrenceburg Police Officers to the business around 3:15 p.m. when they noticed a man slumped over the steering wheel of a 2001 Mazda.

   When he arrived, the reporting officer indicates that the seat belt was holding the man upright and that he appeared to be asleep. He awakened when the officer knocked upon the window. When asked what he was doing there, the man stated that he was waiting for his wife who was inside shopping.

   The man told the officer that he would move the car, then put it in gear and maneuvered to the side of the building. The officer reports that he parked across two spaces before ramming into the side of the structure. As the officer approached, the man then reportedly began to back out of the space. He did stop, however, when the officer ordered him to do so.

   An employee told the officer that the man had said a few minutes earlier that he was waiting for his eleven-year-old nephew who was inside the store. She said that she checked, but found no youngster inside.

   The officer told the man that his nephew was not inside. He reportedly answered, “I know ‘cause he’s at home.”

   The man then told the officer that he had come to the store to purchase some cleaning supplies. He produced a receipt that showed he had paid for items inside the store earlier.

   When the man exited the car, the officer indicates he was unsteady on his feet. Field sobriety tests were administered, which the officer reports the man failed. Also, the officer reports finding a pill bottle in the seat of the man’s car. Although the label indicated the prescription for 90 Oxycodone pills had been filled only three days before, there were only 60 pills left.

   The driver, Paul Christopher Byrd, age 47, of 1012 Smith Avenue, was placed under arrest on charges of first offense DUI. He was transported to Crockett Hospital for a blood test, then to the Lawrence County Jail for booking.

   Byrd is scheduled for an initial appearance in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on September 3, 2009.

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