Lang
2/26/23
The Iowa State Patrol has arrested an armed wrong-way driver on Interstate 380.
According to arrest records, a trooper was driving southbound on I-380 approaching the Interstate 80 interchange just before 2am Sunday when he observed a black Infiniti Q50 with Illinois plates driving northbound in the southbound lanes. The officer stopped the vehicle by pulling in front of it.
The driver was identified as 32-year-old Percy Williams of Orchard Street in Iowa City. The State Patrol says Williams showed signs of impairment, smelled of ingested alcohol, performed poorly on field sobriety tests and refused breath testing. The car also reportedly smelled of marijuana.
A search of the vehicle reportedly turned up a small amount of marijuana in Williams’ pocket, along with two bags in the back seat which reportedly contained products from a marijuana dispensary.
A Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm handgun was also located inside the vehicle. Williams has a felony drunk driving conviction, making him ineligible to carry a firearm.
Williams is charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon, Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated, Keeping Premises or a Vehicle for the Use of a Controlled Substance, and a Controlled Substance Violation.
If convicted on all charges, Williams faces a maximum of 18 years in prison.
