Mt. Pleasant man charged with third OWI after accident

MT. PLEASANT — A Mt. Pleasant man was charged with Operating While Intoxicated, third offense and Driving While Barred after authorities responded to reports of a pickup truck on its side early Saturday morning.

According to the criminal report filed with Iowa Courts, Mt. Pleasant Police department and Henry County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the intersection of South Locust Street and East Harvest Drive around 2:23 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 for a report of a pickup truck on its side.

At first arrival Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Anthony Carrasco reported locating Colton Atchley, 34, of Mt. Pleasant, unconscious until officers began to make contact.

“A strong odor of alcohol could be detected in the truck and on the defendant along with red watery bloodshot eyes, poor balance, up and down behavior, and slurred speech while assisting them out of the truck and once they were out of the truck,” Carrasco detailed in a criminal complaint.

According to court documents, Atchley was transported to Henry County Health Center where he was assessed for injuries from the accident.

In the criminal complaint Carrasco states while at HCHC Atchley was read his Miranda Rights before he then “made admissions to consuming alcohol then driving. The defendant admitted to consuming 3 16oz cans of Busch Light cans then driving.”

Additionally, Carrasco reports blood was drawn while at HCHC to test blood alcohol level and further investigation into driving while intoxicated continued at the jail.

Once HCHC staff cleared Atchley, he was released into custody and charged with Operating While Intoxicated, third offense and Driving While Barred. Additionally, Atchley received citations for Failure to Maintain Control and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

Atchley will remain in the custody of the Henry County Sheriff with a $7,000 bond awaiting his initial hearing set for March 5 at 9 a.m.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com