Alleged drunken driver charged in injury wreck
A Hot Springs man was arrested on a felony battery charge after he allegedly seriously injured another motorist while driving while intoxicated Wednesday morning.
Codie Reed Alexander, 24, who lists a Carpenter Dam Road address, was taken into custody shortly after 7:30 a.m. and charged with a felony count of second-degree battery, punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of DWI, first offense.
Alexander, who was also cited for driving with no or expired registration, no liability insurance, failure to maintain control and driving too fast for conditions, was later released on $3,500 bond and is set to appear Nov. 20 in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after 7 a.m., Hot Springs police Officer Robert Plyler responded to a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Carpenter
Dam and Shady
Grove roads and upon arrival made contact with one driver, identified as Alexander.
The other driver, a female,
19, was being treated for serious injuries and unable to speak at that time. While talking to Alexander, Plyler said he noted an odor of intoxicants on his breath and that he had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and was “slightly unstable” on his feet.
Alexander reportedly said he had stopped drinking around
8 or 9 p.m. Tuesday. He was given a portable breathalyzer test which registered his blood alcohol content at 0.15 percent,
almost twice the legal limit. He submitted to three field sobriety tests at the scene and reportedly failed all three.
Alexander was taken into custody at that point and transported to the Garland County Detention Center where he was monitored for the required 20 minutes before a second breathalyzer test was conducted.
Alexander allegedly provided a sample at that point which registered 0.186 percent, over twice the legal limit.
The affidavit notes the female driver was transported to National Park Medical Center where she was treated for a broken arm, broken or dislocated collarbone, possible facial fractures and multiple lacerations.