OIPA president accused of DUI
Tim Wigley, president of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, is accused of driving under the influence after being arrested on two traffic complaints Tuesday by an Oklahoma City police officer.
A report filed by Officer Robert Juby states Wigley's arrest on complaints of driving under the influence and disregarding a traffic control device happened after the officer was dispatched to check out a report of a possible drunken driver leaving a restaurant near NW 10 and Robinson.
The officer stated in the report that upon arriving in the area, he observed and followed a Mercedes sedan leaving the restaurant's parking lot about 7:30 p.m.
The report stated the officer observed the Mercedes roll into the center of the intersection at NW 10 and Robinson while asignal light for its lane was red.
The officer stated the Mercedes remained stopped in the intersection until the signal light changed, and that the vehicle then proceeded east on NW 10 toward Broadway while the officer followed.
The officer stated he activated his unit's lights and sirens to alert the Mercedes to stop before reaching Broadway, but also reported the vehicle didn't actually stop until it encountered other stopped vehicles east of Broadway where train tracks intersect NW 10.
Officer Juby stated that Wigley, after agreeing to exit the Mercedes, appeared to him to have bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet. The officer stated Wigley refused to take a breath test.
Juby's report also stated that Wigley was argumentative at times as he was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.
Wigley, of Oklahoma City, became president of the association last year. He returned to Oklahoma after working for the Western Energy Alliance in Denver, managing a lobbying and communications firm in Washington, D.C., and serving as president of the Oregon Forest Industries Council.
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association said Wednesday the group is aware of the situation, but declined to comment further.
Oklahoma City Municipal Court records showed Wednesday that Wigley is set to be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. on May 8 on both complaints. If found guilty, he could be fined $556, they showed.