Lang
10/9/21
A man with a potentially life-threatening blood alcohol level was arrested for drunk driving after a traffic stop on Interstate 80.
The Iowa State Patrol pulled over a 2019 Chevy Equinox for an equipment violation just before 10pm Friday near the Coral Ridge/Highway 965 exit. The driver, 40-year-old James Merrifield of Charles City, allegedly showed signs of intoxication. A state trooper said two open bottles of vodka were found on Merrifield’s person.
Merrifield reportedly refused field sobriety testing. A portable Breathalyzer test showed his blood alcohol content at .307%. Doctors say a BAC over .300% could lead to a slight possibility of death, as well as central nervous system depression, loss of consciousness, and impaired heart rate, breathing and bladder function.
A later Datamaster test showed Merrifield’s blood alcohol level at .275%. He allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol.
Merrifield was arrested and charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 2nd Offense, Driving with an Open Container of Alcohol and Driving While Suspended. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of two years in prison.
