On Saturday, February 24th, around 8 p.m., Marshall County Deputies were called for an accident at Michigan Road and U.S. 6 for a vehicle that drove into the ditch.
The witness stated the driver left the vehicle and went into the gas station at Arby. The driver was then located and was found to have consumed alcohol.
The driver was identified as Franklin R. Vega, 57, of 2662 Michigan Road in LaPaz. Mr. Vega was given some field sobriety tests and agreed to a certified test. He had a blood alcohol content of .12% and was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). Mr. Vega was charged with a felony due to having a prior conviction of OWI within the last 7 years. He was also cleared by hospital staff due to a minor accident.
Mr. Vega was given a court date and a cash bond of $1500 which was paid at noon on Sunday, and he was released on bond.
Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
