A DUI Ride Gone Wild

(ALLIANCE, Neb.) — A South Dakota man faces seven charges, including driving under the influence and methamphetamine possession, after police say he drove recklessly at a high rate of speed and nearly overturned his vehicle in Alliance.

According to an Oct. 20 press release from the Alliance Police Department, Sgt. David LaDuke observed a red Hyundai Elantra traveling at an extremely high rate of speed near 25th Street and Flack Avenue at approximately 4:47 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19. The vehicle was being driven so recklessly that it nearly overturned, police said.

LaDuke initiated a traffic stop and observed occupants throwing items from the vehicle. The passenger failed to comply with commands to exit, prompting additional officers to respond.

After securing both occupants, officers began a driving under the influence investigation. The driver, Arlo Standing Bear, 30, of Allen, South Dakota, provided a preliminary breath sample indicating a blood alcohol concentration of 0.265, more than three times Nebraska’s legal limit of 0.08, according to police.

Officers also recovered approximately five grams of suspected methamphetamine and marijuana during the investigation.

Standing Bear was arrested on allegations of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or greater, willful reckless driving, refusal to submit to a chemical test, tampering with physical evidence, possession of methamphetamine, a stop sign violation and possession of marijuana.

The passenger, Jeremiah Arthur Hopkins, 29, of Kyle, South Dakota, was arrested on allegations of possession of methamphetamine, littering and tampering with physical evidence.

Hopkins was later cited and released after the detention facility declined to accept him, according to the department.

Alliance Police Officer Michael Gomez and Box Butte County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike DeCore assisted LaDuke during the investigation. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Alliance Police Chief David Leavitt said reckless and impaired driving pose serious threats to public safety and praised the officers’ coordinated response.

The Alliance Police Department said it remains committed to removing impaired drivers from roadways, combating illegal drug activity and protecting the community.

All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.