A Farmington man was arrested on a first DWI after he reportedly struck cars, poles and a sign before stopping.
Jason Maxwell, 46, was driving a 2005 silver Jeep Wrangler on Browning Parkway at 6 p.m. Dec. 28, when he struck a car and reportedly “fled eastbound on Morning Star.” His blood alcohol levels were 0.16 to 0.17, which is nearly twice the legal limit, according to the statement of probable cause.
A witness followed Maxwell, reporting to dispatch what he observed and that was Maxwell reportedly striking “vehicles as well as poles” before coming to a stop when he “crashed into a sign” near the intersection of County Road 3900 and County Road 3950, court records state.
The witness stated he saw the Jeep “traveling between 80 and 90 mph,” and he reportedly saw it leave “the roadway completely and struck a sign,” court records state.
A driver of a Dodge Charger also followed Maxwell to the scene, because Maxwell reportedly struck the Charger and “fled a crash scene,” court records state.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and found Maxwell outside, leaning on the rear of his Jeep. He reportedly admitted to driving the vehicle, and law enforcement reported “a strong odor of an alcohol beverage emitting off his person,” court records state.
Maxwell reportedly disclosed that he had been driving from the East Main Safeway in Farmington, when he consumed a “Corona” beer Fiesta Mexicana. He told deputies that he had no teeth and was a seizure patient who “hit his head.” He stated he had taken his medication the night before, according to the statement of probable cause.
When asked why he was out driving, he allegedly told deputies he wanted to “take pictures of Christmas lights before they got taken down,” court records state.
Deputies asked Maxwell whether he was aware he had struck other vehicles and a pole, and he responded that “it was really dark outside.” He also reportedly stated that he “felt movement within his own vehicle” as if he had a crash, and then said he was driving to the location where he stopped “to turn around,” according to the statement of probable cause.
Maxwell did agree to participate in a field sobriety test and deputies stated he “swayed back and forth, continuously moved his head,” but then stopped testing and refused to continue.
A search of Maxwell’s Jeep led to the finding of a 40-ounce bottle of Bud Light, which “contained half of its original contents,” court records state.
Maxwell was arrested and booked into the San Juan County Detention Center on charges of aggravated DWI, leaving the scene of an accident knowingly, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, no driver’s license and open container.
