66-Year-Old Man Arrested For DUI At Matt Warner Reservoir

| by Travis Uresk | March 13^th, 2026 |

(Uintah County) On 3/9/2026, Conservation Officer Fackrell was patrolling Matt Warner in Uintah County when he noticed a gray Dodge truck parked near the reservoir.

Officer Fackrell saw a male, later identified as 66-year-old Paul Francis Ominski, sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running.

Officer Fackrell walked up to Paul and asked if he had been fishing; he said he had. The officer asked to see his fishing license, and Paul provided a valid fishing license.

During their conversation, the officer observed that Paul appeared to be lethargic and had difficulty answering simple questions. He also noticed an open beer can on the center console and watched Paul move the can down to the seat.

The Conservation Officer asked Paul if he had been drinking, and he stated that he had not. Officer Fackrell asked Paul if there was any beer in the can he had moved, and he indicated there wasn't. He then asked Paul if he would give him the beer can so he could see if there was any liquid in it, and Paul told Officer Fackrell he would not give it to him.

Officer Fackrell asked Paul to exit his truck, and he refused, saying the officer had no authority to order him out of the vehicle. It was explained that the officer believed there was an open container violation, and needed him to exit the truck. Again, Paul refused to exit the vehicle and became agitated, and told the officer, "You better not make me get out of this truck."

The Conservation Officer radioed into dispatch and requested that another officer respond to the call.

When UCSO Deputy Lyman arrived, he and Officer Fackrell approached Paul's truck and motioned for him to get out, and he exited the vehicle. Paul was walked to the back of his vehicle, and the officers had him sit on the rear bumper. As Paul walked to the rear of the vehicle, he appeared unbalanced.

Officer Fackrell retrieved the beer can, poured out approximately one quarter of the beer, and asked Paul if he would perform standard field sobriety tests (SFSTs) to determine whether he was impaired. Or not, and he refused to perform any of the tests.

Paul was arrested and placed in a patrol vehicle. Officer Fackrell asked him to submit to a chemical blood test, but he refused. The officer applied for and received approval for a blood test warrant, and a sample was taken at Uintah Basin Hospital.