Hunter
04/10/22
A Coralville man was arrested after police say they saw him visibly intoxicated earlier in the evening in downtown Iowa City, then saw him behind the wheel running a stop sign.
Arrest reports indicate that 37-year-old William Jones of 21st Avenue Place walked up to officers on a separate traffic stop and was observed to be highly intoxicated Friday night. Just before 2 am Saturday, Jones was observed in the 200 block of Van Buren Street behind the wheel of a Chevy Malibu.
After allegedly running a stop sign, the officer, who saw him earlier, activated his lights and siren. Jones allegedly fled the scene at a high rate of speed, going about three blocks before pulling into a driveway. When he exited the vehicle, he was placed under arrest.
The arrest report states that the odor of alcohol coming from Jones was so strong that the officer had to step back several times. He reportedly had a stain of an unknown liquid on his white t-shirt, and struggled to maintain his balance. The passengers in Jones’ vehicle had to help the officer get him into the back of the squad car.
A search of his person allegedly turned up a corner tear of a white powdery substance. Jones reportedly admitted that the powder was cocaine that he purchased at a bar three hours prior to the stop.
Jones refused PBT and Datamaster testing and was taken to the Johnson County Jail, where he fell asleep. He reportedly admitted that he had several drinks and acknowledged that he knew the officer was trying to conduct a traffic stop on him.
On July 1st, Judge Deborah Minot accepted a plea deal from Jones on two 2021 OWI incidents; one on February 19th and the other on May 7th.
Jones was charged with OWI third offense, Eluding, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. If convicted, he faces a prison term of up to seven years.