(Stuart) An impaired driver was arrested in Stuart, 242 miles from where he thought he was.
The Stuart Police Department says at approximately 1:51 a.m. on June 14, a Stuart Police Officer observed a Ford Mustang traveling at a dangerously high rate of speed in a 25 mph zone near the intersection of Front Street and Division Street.
The vehicle failed to slow or stop at the four-way intersection and continued through at a high speed. The officer attempted to catch up to the vehicle and confirmed via radar that it was traveling 77 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.
The officer conducted a traffic stop a short time later and contacted the driver, identified as Alex Guerrero, of Grand Island, Nebraska. Upon contact, Guerrero immediately told the officer he was “extremely high” and handed over a vape device suspected of containing a controlled substance. Guerrero further stated that he believed he was in Grand Island—unaware that he was actually in Stuart, Iowa, more than 240 miles away from where he thought.
Field sobriety tests were conducted, and a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office was requested to perform a more advanced evaluation. Following that assessment, Guerrero was arrested and charged with:
- Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) – 1st Offense (Drugs)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1st Offense
- Reckless Driving
- Speeding – 77 in a 35 mph zone
- Failure to Obey a Stop Sign
Guerrero was transported to the Adair County Jail, where he was booked and held pending an initial court appearance.
The Stuart Police Department would like to thank the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and reminds the public that impaired driving puts everyone at risk and will not be tolerated.
