A hunter was arrested for drinking beer while operating a UTV
- Travis Uresk
- Oct 8, 2024
- 2 min read
By Travis Uresk
10/4/24
| Uintah County | October 5th, 2024 |
DWR Officer Lilga was patrolling near Iron Springs Campground when he observed a male operating a UTV.
The officer made contact with the driver, wearing an orange hunting vest with a rifle, on the passenger seat of the UTV. As Officer Lilga checked the males hunting license the odor of alcohol was present, and there were several empty beer cans in the bed of the UTV.
Officer Lilga asked 54-year-old Michael Roy Carroll how many beers he had consumed before driving to their location. He stated he had consumed two before driving.
Michael submitted to Seated Field Sobriety Testing because the ground was rocky and on an incline.
SFSTs:
During SFST, I observed the following:
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus - Lack of Smooth Pursuit in both eyes, Nystagmus at max deviation in both eyes, Onset prior to 45 in his left eye. Vertical nystagmus present.
Finger to Nose - Did not close his eyes, Did not tilt their head, and missed his nose on first left, first right, and fifth right.
Palm Pat - Did not increase speed and rotated hands.
Hand Coordination - On task two, improper count, improper touch, and improper return.
During the vehicle search, an open container of beer was discovered next to the driver's seat with liquid still inside.
Michael was arrested for driving under the influence and transported to the Uintah Basin Hospital for a chemical test.
Officer Lilga read the admonition verbatim to Michael and refused the admonition of a blood chemical test on the first and second admonition. A warrant was written and submitted to the on-call Judge.
The Judge approved the blood draw warrant, and the hospital staff administered the blood draw. Michael was then transported to the Uintah County Jail without incident for booking.
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