Quad Cities woman arrested for OWI after allegedly vomiting on herself, trying to dive away from scene of bar fight

Lang
7/25/21

A Quad Cites woman faces a drunk driving charge after Iowa City Police say she tried to drive away from the scene of a bar fight after passing out and vomiting on herself.

Officers were dispatched to La Rumba at the Iowa City Marketplace on Lower Muscatine Road just after 2am for a fight inside the bar. A passerby stopped an officer in the parking lot and pointed out 25-year-old Yesenia Ruiz of Rock Island, who was apparently passed out inside her parked car and had vomited on herself.

Police used an unlock tool to open the door and reach Ruiz, who investigators say was clearly intoxicated. Ruiz allegedly agreed to call for a ride home, but once the officer’s attention was diverted to another issue in the parking lot, she allegedly tried to back out of her parking spot and leave. Ruiz was stopped by a Johnson County Sheriff’s deputy who had been dispatched to the scene for assistance. Her blood alcohol level was measured at .177%.

Ruiz was arrested and charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 2nd Offense.