Opinion ID: 4540318
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: 2012 DUI and Reckless Driving Arrest

Text: Officer Grant Keams testified about Merritt’s 2012 driving-under-theinfluence conviction (“DUI”). ROA Vol. VI at 772. Keams was driving on a fourlane highway around noon when he saw Merritt driving southbound in the northbound lane of traffic. Id. at 774. Amidst a “high volume of traffic,” Merritt’s sedan forced vehicles to halt or even pull onto the shoulder in order to avoid Merritt’s car. Id. at 776–77. Keams turned on his emergency lights and siren, but Merritt did not pull over. Id. at 777. Instead, Merritt vomited out the car window and threw an empty beer can out of his car. Id. at 777–78. Keams then saw Merritt cut across two lanes of traffic to pull into a gas station. Id. at 778–80. As Merritt was pulling into the gas station, another police car pulled in front of Merritt’s car, blocking its path. Id. at 781–82. Keams approached Merritt’s vehicle and opened the door. Id. at 782. Keams observed fresh vomit on Merritt’s beard and reported it was pretty clear that Merritt was in an intoxicated state. Id. Merritt’s eyes were bloodshot and he slurred his speech. Id. at 783. Because Merritt was unable to maintain his balance, Keams could not safely administer a field sobriety test. Id. at 782–83. Keams arrested Merritt and a subsequent search of Merritt’s car revealed an open can of beer in the center console, two empty beer cans in the back seat, 45 unopened cans of beer, and a 750 ml bottle of vodka that was mostly empty. Id. at 5 784–86. Ultimately, Merritt pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and reckless driving. Id. at 787.