ICPD arrests two for OWI during same traffic stop after passenger takes the wheel during driver’s arrest
Lang
1/19/20
Iowa City Police arrested two people for Operating While Intoxicated during the same traffic stop after an intoxicated passenger took the wheel of the car during the driver’s arrest.
Arrest records indicate ICPD officers pulled over a Volkswagen Golf with personalized Illinois plates reading “GOTTI-AI” for a traffic violation at 1:15am Sunday on the 100 block of South Madison Street, near its intersection with Burlington Street. Police say the driver, 28-year-old Frankie Guerrera of Mokena, Illinois, showed multiple signs of intoxication, showed signs of impairment on field sobriety tests, and registered a blood alcohol content of .095.
As Guerrera was being removed from the vehicle for OWI processing, a passenger, identified as 30-year-old Kortney Roe of 10th Avenue in Coralville, allegedly jumped from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat. Roe also allegedly showed multiple signs of intoxication.
Officer Josh Grimm warned Roe that by being behind the wheel of a running vehicle while intoxicated, she risked being arrested for OWI as well. Roe initially returned to the passenger seat, but later slid back into the driver’s seat.
Police say Roe initially refused to exit the vehicle or identify herself. She refused field sobriety testing, and a warrant was eventually obtained for chemical testing. Roe’s BAC was later recorded as a .274 on a Datamaster.
Guerrera is charged with 1st Offense OWI, while Roe faces the same charge as a 3rd or Subsequent Offense. If convicted, Roe faces a maximum of five years in prison.
