A man has been charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in connection with a wrong-way crash in Oklahoma City during the early morning hours of Sept. 29 that wrecked two vehicles. Neither of the drivers involved suffered injuries in the crash. The 32-year-old man is being held at the Oklahoma County Detention Center, according to media reports.
Pickup truck flips over
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the man was proceeding eastbound on the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 when his pickup truck struck an oncoming sedan head-on near Council Road. The accident took place at approximately 3 a.m. An eyewitness told reporters that he saw the pickup truck flip over and lose two of its wheels after striking the car. The witness says that he then saw the driver of the pickup truck emerge from his vehicle and attempt to flee the scene on foot.
Witness pursues suspect
OHP troopers and Oklahoma City Police Department Officers took the man into custody a short time later after finding him in a nearby field. The witness told them that he attempted to pursue the man on foot but was unsuccessful. The witness also says that the man was stumbling as he ran and appeared to be intoxicated. A records check revealed that the man has a long criminal history and was on probation at the time of the accident.
Fleeing law enforcement is unwise
The fear of incarceration can be a powerful motivator, but attempting to flee from the police is unwise and will usually lead to additional charges and more severe sentences. Efforts to elude law enforcement could also make it more difficult for criminal defense attorneys to negotiate favorable plea agreements for motorists accused of DUI. Instead of fleeing, experienced attorneys would likely advise motorists who have been involved in accidents or pulled over to cooperate with police but make no incriminating statements without first consulting a lawyer.