Since the launch of the Benton Police Department’s “Be Someone’s Sweetheart and Rethink Your Drink” initiative on Feb. 1, there have been six DWI arrests. Four of those arrests were made during the Super Bowl weekend.
Though this month, officers will place extra emphasis on catching anyone that chooses to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The DWI task force will be in full operation along with enhanced patrol techniques to detect and arrest violators.
• At approximately 11:49 p.m. Feb. 2, officers responded to a vehicle accident in the westbound lane of Interstate 30 near the 116 exit. The odor of intoxicants was noticed from the driver, 50-year-old Terry L. Dempsey of Traskwood. Dempsey registered a 0.202 percent blood-alcohol content level. Officers also found a pipe containing suspected marijuana inside the vehicle Dempsey was driving. Dempsey was transported to the Saline County Detention Center and faces charges of DWI, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Reckless Driving.
• At approximately 3:20 a.m. Feb. 3, officers working DWI taskforce stopped a vehicle and noticed suspected marijuana on the clothing of passenger 42-year-old Douglas Arne Arnesen of Benton. During a search of the vehicle, officers seized suspected marijuana found in a cellophane wrapper, drug paraphernalia, three syringes with suspected methamphetamine residue and a partial suspected Xanax pill. Two suspected Hydrocodone pills were seized from a purse belonging to the driver, 41-year-old Dorinda D. Parks of Haskell. Parks was taken into custody and faces charges of DWI-drugs, Possession of a Controlled II Substance, Possession of a Controlled IV Substance, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and a citation for defective brake light. Arnesen was taken into custody and faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• At approximately 3:09 a.m. Feb. 6, officers conducted a traffic stop on Congo Road when the odor of intoxicants was noticed. The driver, 31-year-old Robert Illing or Benton admitted to drinking before driving and registered a 0.10 percent blood alcohol content level. Illing was taken into custody and faces charges of DWI and No Vehicle License.
• At approximately 12:57 a.m. Feb. 7, officers conducted a traffic stop on the I-30 south service road when the odor of intoxicants was noticed. The driver, 50-year-old Stacy G. Young of Benton admitted to drinking before driving, but refused to take a blood-alcohol breath test. Young was taken into custody and faces charges of DWI and Refusal to Submit to Test.
• At approximately 1:11 a.m. Feb. 7, a traffic stop was conducted on the I-30 north service road when the odor of intoxicants was noticed. The driver, Annie Erin Beason of Donaldson, admitted to drinking before driving and she registered a 0.165 percent blood-alcohol content level. Beason was taken into custody and faces charges of DWI and Careless and Prohibited Driving.
• At approximately 9:37 p.m. Feb. 7, a traffic stop was conducted on Arkansas Highway 35 when the odor of intoxicants was noticed. The driver, 43-year-old Camron F. Traylor of Benton admitted to drinking before driving and registered a 0.14 percent blood-alcohol content level. Traylor was taken into custody and faces a charge of DWI.
In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (31%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States (Source: Dept of Transportation (US), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Of the 499 traffic fatalities in Arkansas in 2013, 24 percent (121 fatalities) were alcohol related (Arkansas State Police).
“Intoxicated driving isn’t a victimless crime,” Chief Kirk Lane said. “If you drink or take drugs, including certain medications, and then decided to drive, you could kill yourself or someone else, or get a DWI or DUI and go to jail. We don’t want to have any more traffic fatalities due to alcohol or drugs, so drive sober. We have zero tolerance for intoxicated drivers.”
To report suspicious driving and/or accidents, call the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on ITunes and Google Play.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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