Law enforcement says that a North Carolina man fled on foot after driving up to a DWI checkpoint Friday in Gaston County. Officers reportedly ran after the man, who now faces a slate of criminal charges. While news reports claim that the man has been arrested on suspicion of DWI three times in roughly three months, the man also is facing felony drug charges and weapons offenses in the most recent allegations.
Police claim that officers found crack cocaine, a firearm and an open beer container in the man’s car during the investigation. The man apparently submitted a breath sample during the DWI probe. Gastonia police claim that the man registered 0.13 percent alcohol level in a breath test, leading to a DWI charge.
Authorities reportedly are also pursuing felony drug charges and a felony weapons charge related to the DWI checkpoint arrest. The man is accused of resisting arrest and felony assault, although a news report in the Gaston Gazette has not provided details about what allegations underlie those charges. The man was booked into jail in Gaston County under a 0,000 secured bond after the arrest.
This is not the first time in recent weeks a story has hit the news about a person (or persons) arrested after allegedly fleeing from a DWI checkpoint. We recently reported a story where two men were arrested on assault charges after deputies opened fire at the car they were in at a DWI checkpoint.
From time-to-time, a story about arises about charges arising after a person has encountered police in some form of investigatory stop. Resisting arrest, assault charges, and other offenses may be tacked-on in a given case by authorities during an alcohol-related offense.
Notably, the added allegations may be looked at under a different standard in the court of public opinion. However, a person is entitled to the presumption of innocence and retains constitutional rights in a court of law.
Source: Gaston Gazette, “Man gets third DWI charge in three months,” Dianne Turbyfill, June 30, 2013
