Man flees drunk in car

BROOKLAND, Arkansas (KAIT) – Police have arrested a Jonesboro man who they say fled from police while intoxicated.

On Monday, June 24, Craighead County District Judge David Boling found there was probable cause to charge 31-year-old Gabriel Caleb Lopez with hit and run, reckless driving, refusal to submit to a chemical test, driving under the influence and resisting arrest.

According to the affidavit, an officer conducted a traffic stop near the American Made General Store in Brookland on Sunday, June 23, because a southbound vehicle was speeding.

The officer said he recorded the speeding vehicle driven by Lopez traveling 78 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone.

The officer activated the hazard lights to stop the vehicle, but Lopez did not stop, even as they passed the Nettleton Baptist Church and continued south at about 70 miles per hour.

The affidavit states that the vehicle was traveling in the turning lane of US Highway 49 North.

The officer reported that after the vehicle passed the intersection of US 49N and Clinton Road, Lopez ran a red light at about 50 mph and then increased speed to nearly 80 mph.

The vehicle turned around at the Courtyard Hotel and came to a stop.

The officer who responded to the call reported that Lopez “would not comply with the commands given to him,” so several officers dragged him from the car while Lopez continued to resist.

The officer noticed that Lopez smelled strongly of drugs, had slurred speech and appeared disoriented.

Police managed to get Lopez into the back seat of a patrol car, but outside the vehicle he began screaming.

Lopez was taken to the Craighead County Detention Center.

While in the detention center, Lopez was given a chemical breath test, but it did not produce enough samples, so he refused to submit to a chemical test charge.

Lopez’s criminal record also shows that he was found guilty of drunken driving in 2019. This is his second violation of the DWI law in 10 years.

Lopez had a probable cause hearing on Wednesday, June 26, and was released on bail.

On Thursday, June 27, Lopez was released on bail but must wear an alcohol detection ankle bracelet.

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