Staff Reports
SAFFORD — A single-vehicle motorcycle accident near the entrance to Fort Grant Prison on S. Fort Grant Rd. on Aug. 3 led to the arrest of Thomas Higginson for driving under the influence.
According to the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at about 7:50 p.m. to reports of an intoxicated male who had crashed his motorcycle. A prison employee reported the driver, a man in his late 40s to early 50s, was awake, breathing, disoriented, and exhibiting slurred speech, but was not bleeding.
The driver, identified as Thomas Higginson, displayed clear signs of impairment, including slurred speech, difficulty maintaining balance, and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Prison staff confirmed Higginson had not consumed alcohol after the crash. Higginson told deputies he hit a concrete curb while traveling at about 5 miles per hour, causing him to fall. He initially admitted to having “a drink or two” at home but later confessed to consuming a bottle of apple moonshine, though he could not specify the amount or timing of his last drink.
A Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test revealed four out of six possible clues of impairment, including lack of smooth pursuit and sustained nystagmus in both eyes. Higginson declined further field sobriety tests, citing a swollen leg, and refused to rate his level of intoxication, calling the question “unfair.”
Based on these observations, deputies determined Higginson was too impaired to drive. He was arrested for DUI at approximately 8:42 p.m. and transported to the Safford Police Department for a blood draw.
Higginson, who mentioned taking Gabapentin, which he said makes him sleepy, had difficulty stepping into the patrol vehicle without assistance. He was allowed to contact his wife, who picked him up upon his release after the investigation was completed. Magnum Towing removed the motorcycle from the scene.
Higginson faces possible charges for driving under the influence of alcohol. The investigation remains ongoing pending the results of the blood test.
