De Queen Man Arrested for DWI After Crashing Into Police Patrol Car

DE QUEEN — A 19-year-old De Queen man was arrested early Saturday morning after authorities say he crashed into a police patrol vehicle and later failed a field sobriety test.

According to an arrest affidavit from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 1:50 a.m. on Dec. 7, when a De Queen police officer reported that his patrol unit had been struck by another vehicle. Because the officer’s vehicle was hit, a sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to conduct the DWI investigation.

Upon arrival, the deputy learned that the driver who hit the patrol car was already detained in the back seat of the officer’s unit and appeared to be intoxicated. The suspect, identified as Bryan Allen Martinez, 19, of De Queen, was seen leaning across the backseat when the deputy approached.

Southwest EMS evaluated Martinez at the scene, but he refused medical treatment. The deputy reported detecting a strong smell of alcohol coming from Martinez.

Martinez was transported to the Sevier County Jail, where the deputy continued the investigation and administered a field sobriety test. According to the affidavit, Martinez admitted to drinking alcohol and showed multiple signs of impairment. He reportedly failed 18 out of 18 components of the sobriety test, including noticeable swaying and difficulty following instructions.

Martinez was arrested for driving while intoxicated. The affidavit also states he failed to provide two valid breath samples for the official blood-alcohol content test, resulting in no valid BAC reading. He was issued a citation for refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Both the suspect’s vehicle and the police officer’s patrol unit were towed from the scene at the request of the De Queen Police Department.