A two-vehicle crash on Sunday, August 2, led to the arrest of a Minden man on driving while intoxicated charges after he allegedly admitted drinking before the collision, according to a Minden Police Department report.
Officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Country Club Circle and Long Leaf Drive, where they made contact with Charles Harrison, 41, the driver of one of the vehicles involved.
According to the report, Harrison told officers he had fallen asleep while driving, causing his vehicle to strike the other vehicle.
While speaking with Harrison, an officer reported smelling the odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath. When initially asked whether he had consumed alcohol, Harrison reportedly said he had not. After the officer told him the odor of alcohol was detectable, Harrison allegedly admitted to drinking a six-pack of beer.
Police administered standardized field sobriety tests. According to the report, Harrison displayed all six clues on the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, including vertical gaze nystagmus. During the walk-and-turn test, he reportedly began before instructed and performed an improper turn. On the one-leg stand test, officers said Harrison used his arms to maintain balance, nearly fell over, and counted incorrectly while attempting to complete the exercise.
Before the vehicle was towed, officers conducted an inventory and reported finding four open cans of Busch Light beer inside a plastic bag hanging in the vehicle, along with another open can containing cold beer on the passenger-side floorboard.
Harrison was arrested and charged with first-offense driving while intoxicated, open container, and improper lane usage.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.