Alleged drunk driver arrested after wreck, threatening sheriff’s deputy
Sheriff’s files
STEVEN MROSS
The Sentinel-Record staff
An alleged drunk driver was arrested late Saturday after reportedly wrecking his vehicle and then threatening a Garland County sheriff’s deputy.
David Dewayne Almond, 42, who lists an address of Rockwall, Texas, in the arrest report but a Hot Springs address on the inmate roster, was taken into custody shortly after 9:30 p.m. and charged with a felony count of first degree terroristic threatening, punishable by up to six years in prison, and misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated, first offense, and refusal to submit.
He remained in custody Monday in lieu of $3,500 bond and is set to appear Dec. 10 in Garland County District Court.
According to the report, shortly after 9 p.m., GCSD Deputy Matthew Wharton was dispatched to the intersection of Duckhole Trail and Ault Loop in reference to a vehicle that had gone off the side of the roadway after the driver attempted to negotiate a turn.
The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Almond, who stated he was just trying to get home and missed his turn. Wharton noted Almond had a large bloody knot above his right eye, but when LifeNet responded he refused medical attention. When asked about the injury, he claimed he got into a fight and that “he liked to fight.”
Wharton noted, however, that his vehicle, a gold 1987 Ford Thunderbird, had dropped off into the ditch and there was blood on the steering wheel and it appeared he had hit his head when he wrecked.
The deputy also noted a strong odor of intoxicants about Almond and that he had red, watery eyes and slurred speech. He asked if he had been drinking prior to the accident and he denied it. Wharton attempted to administer some field sobriety tests but Almond allegedly refused to follow instructions.
Almond consented to a portable breathalyzer test which reportedly registered his blood alcohol content at 0.12 percent, well over the legal limit. At that point, Almond was taken into custody and put in Wharton’s unit.
While waiting for the wrecker to arrive, Almond allegedly began yelling and cursing at Wharton and stated, “You don’t know who I am, I’ll f--- you up and put you in the cemetery!” A short time later, he began kicking the inside of the doors.
Wharton states he warned him to stop or he would be shackled and his feet restrained, but he continued kicking and head butting the metal cage inside the vehicle. At that point, Wharton shackled his feet and strapped him to the door.
While en route to the detention center, Almond allegedly continued yelling and cursing, stating, “You ain’t nobody, m-----------! Take these handcuffs of or I’ll beat your a--. You ain’t s--- and I’ll box your a-- into the grave.”
Once at the jail, he refused to comply with any paperwork, answer any questions or take the formal breathalyzer test. He also claimed Wharton had struck him in the face, causing the injury to his eye, and that he wanted to file charges.
In addition to the other charges, Almond was cited for driving on a suspended license, driving left of center, no seat belt and no proof of insurance.
