By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – Concerned neighbors called authorities when they saw a man recklessly driving his truck around their property in an apparent drunken manner. However, a high-risk patrol stop yielded not an intoxicated driver but a man in need dealing with a medical episode.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, deputies were dispatched just before 8 p.m. on Monday to a residence off E. Sanchez Road regarding a man in a white truck recklessly driving his vehicle onto the neighbor’s property.
Upon arrival, deputies located a man stationary in a white truck that was in a Mesquite thicket, and the driver was ordered out of the vehicle in a “high-risk” stop. The report advises that the man was slow to respond to commands but eventually exited and complied.
The deputies then determined that the subject was not impaired but was experiencing a medical episode. The subject is diabetic and recently had surgery. He said he got into his truck with his dog to get groceries and suddenly lost his bearings, claiming his driveway had disappeared.
The man was evaluated by paramedics from Lifeline Ambulance at the scene but refused additional medical treatment at the hospital. Instead, he and his dog were assisted back to his residence.
The truck was stuck in a mesquite thicket owned by the city of Safford, and the owner said he would have it towed the following day.
Deputies met with the neighbors who initiated the call for service and were advised of the medical situation. The neighbors said that the truck had just driven through bushes and didn’t damage any of their property. They were informed the truck would be removed from the thicket as soon as possible.
