Hunter
01/17/23
An Iowa City man was arrested on a warrant stemming from an OWI incident the last weekend of 2022.
According to the initial report, 61-year-old Zainel Ashry of Finkbine Lane was called in by witnesses who said he was dangerously intoxicated in the parking lot of his apartment building. Reports said he was halfway out of the driver’s side of his vehicle, and upon arrival, witnesses alleged that Ashry had urinated himself, had alcohol in the vehicle, and had given them his car keys.
Officers noted the vehicle was warm, indicating that it had been running. A probable cause search of the vehicle found an open bottle of alcohol in the driver’s side footwell, and the vehicle had an overwhelming odor of alcohol and urine. Fresh blood was also observed near the gas pedal.
Ashry was located nearby, and reportedly had a bloody right foot, bloodshot watery eyes, impaired speech, soiled pants, and the overwhelming odor of ingested alcohol. He was taken to the emergency room for treatment. He allegedly stated that he hadn’t been driving, was in the vehicle for a while and that his friend was driving it. Ashry refused to provide a PBT or a blood sample.
A warrant was issued for his arrest, and Ashry was taken into custody Monday night. He was charged with OWI 3rd offense after a check of his driving records showed convictions in 2015 and 2021, both in Johnson County.