Man arrested for felony BWI on Hamilton
A Hot Springs man was arrested on Lake Hamilton late Saturday on a felony count of boating while intoxicated, reportedly his fifth offense.
Christopher Marshall Hare,
36, who lists a Krause Lane address, was taken into custody by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officers around 9:30 p.m. on the charge, punishable by up to six years in prison.
Hare, who lists no prior felony history, was being held on a $2,500 bond and was set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Wildlife Officer Tyler Barber was on routine patrol on Lake Hamilton with Lt. Jeremy Whiley when they reportedly spotted Hare operating his vessel without lights as required on a boat after sunset.
After stopping Hare regarding the lights, they noticed he had slurred speech, watery,
bloodshot eyes and was incoherent. Barber conducted the horizontal gaze nystagmus test in the officers’ boat and he displayed indications of intoxication.
They transported Hare to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fish hatchery ramp where they performed three field sobriety tests which Hare reportedly failed. At that point, Hare was taken into custody and transported to the Garland County Detention Center.
At the jail, a Breathalyzer test was conducted and Hare reportedly registered 0.17% blood alcohol content, over twice the legal limit, so he was charged with BWI and cited for his navigation lights.
According to court records, the charge was Hare’s fifth offense, making it a felony.