Woman busted for DUI after trying to run down another vehicle

Contributed Photo/Courtesy SPD:

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – A who allegedly admitted to consuming four beers and a couple of shots prior to driving was arrested for DUI in the early morning hours of March 2 after being caught speeding after another vehicle.

According to a police report, an officer was eastbound on U.S. Highway 70 at about 2:11 a.m. when the officer noticed a westbound vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The officer’s radar initially listed the vehicle going 53 mph in a 35 mph zone and then listed the vehicle’s speed at 56 mph, which constitutes criminal speeding of 20 or more mph over the posted speed limit.

The officer initiated a traffic stop and the car pulled over into the Motel 6 parking lot. Upon approach, the officer identified the driver as Shelby Layton and observed various signs of intoxication.

Layton initially believed she was being pulled over for a broken taillight – none were broken – but the officer advised it was due to her speed and asked how much Layton had to drink that night to which Layton allegedly replied only a couple of beers.

However, after failing a field sobriety test and blowing a .165 breath/alcohol concentration, Layton allegedly advised she had just left a local bar where she had consumed four beers and a couple of shots. She also said that she was only speeding because her passenger was mad at someone in the vehicle ahead of her and she was attempting to catch up to it.

Layton was taken to the Safford Police Department, where a blood sample was obtained for testing purposes. She was then released to a friend. Possible charges including criminal speed and extreme DUI are pending lab test results and review by the County Attorney’s Office.