Carson City arrests: DUI suspect in crash captured on traffic cam disputes he was the driver

A 39-year-old Carson City man was arrested Sunday for misdemeanor suspicion of DUI and other offenses, a Carson City sheriff's arrest report states.

According to the arrest report a deputy was parked on North Carson Street and heard what appeared to be a crash north of his location at around 12:33 a.m.. The officer proceeded northbound and observed a vehicle in the No. 2 northbound lane on North Carson Street near Corbett Street. There was severe damage to the front end of the vehicle.

The officer observed the passenger airbags had deployed as he arrived on scene. The crash caused a construction trailer to overturn, scattering debris surrounding the trailer. There was a female subject standing on the sidewalk next to the vehicle.

Officers learned a male had allegedly been driving the vehicle and had proceeded northbound on foot, leaving the scene of the accident. The man was located walking on a sidewalk. He complied to the officer's demand to stop and was detained for the investigation.

The arresting officer observed the man was in an agitated state, speaking in rapid sentences and moving in quick, sudden movements, indicating the possibility he was under the influence of a controlled substance. The man was also sweating with the temperature outside being 27 degrees, the report states. He was asked if he had consumed any alcohol, marijuana or other controlled substance. The man said he had only consumed alcohol, the report states.

The man stated he wasn't driving the vehicle, but that the female was and she hit the construction trailer. Officers asked him if he had any injuries. The man said he did not. The officer observed discoloration below both of his eyes. The man told the officer that it was from mixed martial arts training.

He was checked out by paramedics on scene who determined he did not have any injuries requiring medical attention.

Carson City dispatch informed deputies after they requested video surveillance of the intersection, which showed the man exiting the driver's side door first. Dispatch confirmed that the man stood outside of the vehicle with the woman and then proceeded walking northbound prior to arrival.

The man was read his Miranda. He acknowledged he understood his rights and consented to questions. Officers informed him traffic cameras confirmed he exited the vehicle from the driver's side door and asked him to explain this. The man said he crawled over the center console and over the driver's seat where he exited first. The man said he believed the female was lying and that there wasn't any video footage of him exiting the driver's door first.

In the report, the officer stated that due to the amount of items inside of the vehicle's front seat, it did not appear plausible that he crawled over the items, enabling him to exit first. The rear passenger seats, along with the rear cargo area of the vehicle contained numerous items, would also not allow for the man to have moved easily throughout the vehicle, the report states.

The arresting officer asked the man if he would consent to a field sobriety test in which he refused, and also refused a voluntary evidence test. The officer requested a search warrant for blood evidence through the on-call district attorney. A judge granted the request and blood evidence was later collected, the report states. Total bail amounted listed: $1,961.

In other arrests:
— A 22-year-old man was arrested Jan. 10, 3:18 a.m. for misdemeanor suspicion of DUI and a tail lamp violation.

According to the arrest report, the man was stopped in the 1600 block of East William Street for a tail lamp violation. A Carson City sheriff's sergeant made the stop and advised the arresting officer that he could smell an odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and observed red, watery eyes on the driver. The man also admitted to drinking and leave a bar.

The officer asked the man if he would be willing to participate in field sobriety tests. The man agreed and advised he had two gin and tonic drinks and an Hazy IPA at a restaurant from about 10 p.m. to midnight. While speaking the officer could smell a mild odor of alcohol coming from his person.

He showed signs of intoxication in the tests and provided a preliminary breath test of .227. He was taken into custody. He denied a breath or blood voluntary evidence test. The officer contacted the on-call district attorney and judge and provided them with a telephonic affidavit for a blood test. It was granted. Bail: $1,209.

— A 33-year-old Carson City man was arrested Jan. 5 for two misdemeanor contempt of court warrants issued out of Carson City Justice Court. Bail: $13,000 cash.

— A 26-year-old woman, Amy Nicole Zieroth, was transferred to Carson City Jail from Washoe County Jail for a felony failure to appear warrant for her arrest. The warrant was issued out of Carson City on Dec. 9, 2020. Bail: $5,000.

All information for the crime log (unless otherwise noted) comes from the arrest reports supplied by the Carson City Sheriff's Office, and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The policy of Carson Now is to name anyone who is arrested for a felony offense.