Police had tried to stop the man for speeding on North Dubuque Street
KCJJ Staff
02/26/19
An Iowa City teen faces a drunk driving charge after allegedly trying to flee from a traffic stop, only to crash his vehicle in a construction area.
An officer says he tried to stop the vehicle of Marquise Pettit, 19, of Iowa Avenue, for speeding on North Dubuque Street about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. But Pettit allegedly refused to stop, eventually losing control and leaving the roadway near B’Jaysville Lane and crashing in a construction area. His vehicle only stopped after hitting a pile of dirt in the construction area.
But Pettit then allegedly fled on foot but was found by officers a short time later with a leg injury. Officers say Pettit, who had to conduct field sobriety testing while seated because of his injury, showed multiple signs of impairment, though breath testing returned a blood alcohol concentration of .000. A Drug Recognition Expert determined Pettit was under the influence of marijuana and a CNS depressant.
They say results of a urine test are still pending.
Pettit is charged with 1st Offense Operating While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene of an Accident, charges carrying more than one year in jail combined.