Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: A man allegedly under the influence of heroin crashed his minivan into an unmarked police truck at the Safford Police Department.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – It could go down as the shortest trip to the police department an alleged inebriated driver has taken.
A man allegedly under the influence of heroin crashed his silver, 2000 Dodge Caravan into an unmarked white, 2007 Dodge Safford Police truck that was parked in front of the Safford Police Department on Thursday, June 21.
The driver, Cory Bowman, 28, was taken into the Safford Police Department’s squad room and appeared to be nodding off from heroin use.
Bowman was westbound on Main Street when the collision occurred. He said was traveling between jobs and dropped his cell phone. When he went to retrieve the phone, he accidentally swerved and struck the truck, according to his statements to police.
A Thatcher Police Department officer was called at about 11 a.m. to perform a DUI-drug investigation with Bowman, who subsequently failed each field sobriety test. The officer reported having to cut the tests short in fear for Bowman’s safety as he swayed from side to side and kept dropping his head as if he was going to fall asleep.
When being placed under arrest for DUI-drug, Bowman allegedly admitted to using heroin the previous evening around 10:30 p.m.
Bowman’s blood was taken for testing purposes and the Caravan was towed from the scene. Bowman called for a ride and was then released with the advisory to not operate a motor vehicle until the effects of the heroin had dissipated.
