A man believed to be responsible for a head-on crash and then leaving the scene Friday afternoon on East Broad Street was later apprehended and is now facing vehicular assault and other charges.
Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins said 21 year old Christopher Keith Lane Derrick of 323 Jackson Street Smithville is under a $15,000 bond and he will be in court on June 8th.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 5/08/2017 Thru: 5/015/2017)
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According to police, Derrick was driving east on Broad Street in a 1996 Chevy Monte Carlo when he crossed into the westbound lane and struck an oncoming 2005 Chevy Classic driven by Alex B. Huber. Dustin Allen Sullivan and Ryan Powell were passengers with Derrick. Huber and Sullivan were taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. Powell refused transport by EMS to the hospital.
Witnesses said that after the crash, Derrick fled the scene on foot carrying a green and white bag heading north into the woods between Eastside Inn and Caney Fork Electric Cooperative.
Smithville Police Officers, assisted by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputies, set up a perimeter and conducted a foot search. Derrick was subsequently found and placed under arrest. Derrick had suffered a large cut near his right knee and across his leg. His speech was slurred and he was very unsteady on his feet. According to police, Derrick needed help at times to maintain his balance. Field sobriety tasks were not administered due to Derrick’s injuries. He was then transported by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. A search warrant was obtained to get a blood sample from Derrick after he refused to voluntarily submit to a blood test.
In addition to vehicular assault, Derrick is charged with evading arrest, violation of the registration law and financial responsibility, driving without a license, failure to yield the right of way, and violation of the implied consent law.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department were also on the scene.
In other recent city crime news, 46 year old Juan F. Rodriguez was arrested on Saturday, May 6 for DUI and cited for implied consent and failing to come to a complete stop at an intersection. Police initiated a routine traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Rodriguez. The officer noticed that Rodriguez had blood shot eyes and a smell of alcohol on his person. He submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Rodriguez was then taken into custody without incident but he refused to give a blood sample. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is May 18.
45 year old DeWayn Amon Shoemake was cited on Sunday, May 7 for criminal trespassing and theft of property. According to police, Shoemake went onto the property of his victim after being told not to be there. Police learned that Shoemake had taken a tire off the victim’s car and left with it. After removing the tire from the rim, Shoemake was later discovered trying to put the rim back on the car. His court date is May 18.
Dana Seborn Cantrell was arrested on Monday, May 8 for DUI. Police responded to the parking lot of Rite Aid Pharmacy where a man was found slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle with the driver’s door open. Upon arrival, police found Cantrell slumped over the steering wheel, his keys in the ignition, and the vehicle was still running. The officer awoke Cantrell and asked him to get out of the car. Cantrell’s speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Cantrell submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Police learned that Cantrell had taken prescription medication a couple of hours before operating his vehicle. Cantrell’s bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 8.
56 year old Donald Gene Rigsby was arrested Tuesday, May 9 for public intoxication. Police were called to Subway where a man on a bicycle ran into a vehicle as it was leaving the parking lot. The officer spoke with the man on the bicycle, Rigsby who had just opened a Miller High Life beer. Rigsby was unsteady on his feet, had an odor of alcohol on his person, and he couldn’t keep his eyes open. Rigsby was determined to be a danger to himself and the public and he was taken into custody. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is June 8.
The following day, Wednesday May 10 Rigsby was cited for violation of the open container law. While on routine patrol, a police officer observed Rigsby walking on East Church Street trying to hide and conceal something under his shirt. The officer stopped Rigsby and asked him what was under his shirt. He produced an open can of beer. His city court date is June 6.
45 year old Richard Brandon Turner was arrested on Wednesday, May 10 for public intoxication and cited for simple possession. At approximately 10:30 p.m. police spotted a man lying on the side of the road near Wal-Mart on West Broad Street. The officer stopped to do a welfare check and found the man to be Turner. Upon approaching Turner, the officer could smell a strong odor of alcohol on his person. When the officer awoke him, Turner tried to stand up and almost fell several times. Due to Turner being intoxicated and being so close to the highway he was placed under arrest for his safety. Turner’s bond is $1,500 and his court date is May 18.
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