A Grand River man was arrested early Sunday after he was found passed out in his running car in a ditch south of Van Meter with his rifle by his side.
Bradley Duane Phelps, 23, of 20628 125th Ave., Grand River, Iowa, was charged with second-offense OWI, driving while license denied or revoked, failure to maintain control, carrying weapon while intoxicated, violation of financial liability-accident and open container.
The incident began about 2:15 a.m. Sunday near 360th Street (County Road F90) and Richland Road (County Road R16) in rural Van Meter, where a witness reportedly “came upon a running vehicle with its reverse lights on in the ditch,” according to court records.
The witnesses also reported that the “driver’s legs were hanging out the window, and the witness believed the driver to be unconscious,” according to court records.
A Dallas County Deputy Sheriff responded, made contact with Phelps in his 2010 Ford Escape and “observed the odor of an alcoholic beverage and bloodshot, watery eyes,” according to court records.
Phelps allegedly “admitted to drinking two Busch Lights,” and his performance on field sobriety rests “indicated impairment,” according to court records. A preliminary breath test returned a result exceeding the legal limit.
The deputy observed “several open beer bottles” that were “in plain view in the vehicle” as well as “a long gun (later identified as a Savage 22 cal. rifle) and one magazine loaded with .22 ammo,” according to court records.
Phelps is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $4,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 7 in Dallas County District Court.
Phelps was convicted of first-offense OWI in August in Decatur County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
