Hunter
12/25/23
An Iowa City man was charged with his third OWI after an overnight incident this weekend.
Police stopped 37-year-old Love Bahindulwa of Ruth Street at 3:10am Saturday as he was heading southbound on I380 near the 5 mile marker for allegedly failing to maintain his lane. Upon contact, the odor of ingested alcohol was reportedly observed.
Bahindulwa allegedly had bloodshot watery eyes, and struggled to maintain his balance. He reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the night, and admitted to being drunk multiple times.
Due to previous convictions, Bahindulwa was required to have an ignition interlock device but it was not installed. He refused a preliminary breath test, and police say he fell asleep in the squad car on the way to the Coralville Police Department for processing. After being read the implied consent advisory with the assistance of a translator, Bahindulwa again refused to provide a breath test.
He’s been charged with OWI third offense and Operating vehicle without required interlock device; if convicted on both counts, Bahindulwa could be sentenced to over five years in prison.