Contributed Photo/Courtesy SPD:
Allegedly admitted to drinking a 12-pack of beer
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A man was arrested for DUI on Wednesday, Aug. 28, after nearly colliding with another vehicle at the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and 20th Avenue.
According to a Safford Police report, officers were dispatched to the area at about 8:42 p.m. and located a silver truck stopped in the middle of the intersection into the Mt. Graham Shopping Center. The driver of the truck, Paul Buck, showed various signs of intoxication and was arrested for DUI after failing a field sobriety test. Additionally, a half-drunk 40-ounce bottle of Hurricane malt liquor was located in the truck and was still cold.
Other officers on the scene interviewed witnesses and one other highway traveler showed a video she took while traveling eastbound behind Buck on U.S. Highway 70 that showed his truck driving in the continuous turn lane as well as swerving “all over the roadway.” The witness said the erratic driving motivated her to record the video.
Another witness advised he had a green light to turn onto the highway from 20th Avenue and when he started to go Buck’s truck ran the red light and stopped in the middle of the intersection. The first turning vehicle had to swerve around Buck’s truck to complete his turn. The video that showed the other erratic driving also caught the interaction in the intersection.
Buck was taken to the Safford Police Department for a blood draw and allegedly admitted to drinking a 12-pack of beer after he got off work and had started to drink at about 5 or 5:30 p.m. when he arrived at his residence in Bylas. He said he was on his way to see a movie in Safford and did not feel the effects of the alcohol when he was driving.
Buck was later released with charges pending blood test analysis and review by prosecutors and was given a courtesy ride to the Denny’s in Thatcher to wait for a relative to give him a ride the rest of the way home. His truck was towed from the scene.
