Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a motorist for felony impaired driving following a citizen complaint in the Redwood area last night.

The Police Department reports officers contacted and then arrested a 43-year-old man in the 1400-block of Redwood Circle on Tuesday at 7:11 p.m..

Police said a fellow motorist was heading west on Redwood Avenue when a silver Mercury sedan in the center turn lane started to come into the travel lane, causing the motorist to swerve up onto the curb to avoid a collision. The complainant then turned around and followed the suspect vehicle. The driver parked and passed out.

Officers arrived on scene to find the suspect passed out behind the wheel of the car with the engine running. They pinched in the car and woke up the driver, who was emanating a strong odor of alcohol. The man refused to identify himself and would not participate in field sobriety tests. He was placed into custody.

The suspect refused to provide a breath sample at the Josephine County Jail so a search warrant was obtained and he was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw which indicated a high level of impairment.

The suspect was returned to the jail and lodged for Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants because he had two prior DUII convictions in the past 10 years. He was also cited for Driving While Suspended, Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock Device and Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample. His car was towed.