New London man arrested in Washington County for DUI and failure to yield

WASHINGTON — A Washington County Sheriff deputy arrested Aaron Brown, 35 of New London, after witnessing his Ford pickup weave across lanes on U.S. Highway 218 north, leading officers on a short pursuit.

A criminal complaint filed in Iowa courts says a Henry County Sheriff’s Office broadcast went out around 8:40 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, reporting a red Ford pickup traveling north from the 54-mile marker that was “all over the road” and failing to maintain its lane.

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A Washington County deputy wrote that he intercepted the vehicle near 320th Street and Highway 218 and watched it cross “both the centerline and the right lane’s fog line multiple times.”

The deputy said he activated his red and blue lights and siren, but the driver “failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated.” The complaint states the pickup reached and “consistently” traveled at 73 mph before pulling over at 282nd Street.

Brown, identified in the complaint as the driver, consented to field sobriety tests but “showed multiple signs of impairment,” the deputy wrote. Despite the consent for field sobriety tests, Brown refused to provide a preliminary breath test.

The criminal complaint claims after arresting him, he “admitted to consuming two beers.” The deputy also reported seeing two empty beer cans inside of Brown’s truck.

Brown was taken to the Washington County Jail with charges of operating under the influence, open container, speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over the limit in a 55 mph or under zone and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Brown’s most serious charge, operating under the influence, can bring jail time, fines and a driver’s license revocation if he is convicted, with penalties depending on a person’s prior record and the facts of the case. An open container violation can result in a scheduled fine, while a speeding citation typically carries a monetary penalty. Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle can also bring a fine and court costs, and in some cases may add additional consequences tied to unsafe driving.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com