Alva Review-Courier -

When someone drove into trash cans and a gas meter behind her house, LaDonna Landers knew who to call. Landers, who works for the Woods County Sheirff’s Office, called Deputy Adam Honeyman on July 1 to report the driver hitting the trash cans and gas meter and then yelling and screaming at her and trying to drive away.

Deputy Honeyman called Officer Sean Farris to respond with him to the 1100 block of Flynn where they talked to Landers. She said the driver was Billy Lee Ross Jr., and he had driven away in a black or dark blue F150. Honeyman asked that the Alva Fire Department be dispatched to secure the leaking gas meter and requested ONG be called to make repairs.

The officers went to the current Ross residence on Fair Street, but they did not find him there. They talked to a neighbor who said Ross had left about an hour earlier driving a dark blue F150. The neighbor said he didn’t believe Ross had a valid driver’s license and the Oklahoma tag on the pickup was expired.

The officers decided to try another Ross property in the 700 block of Choctaw where Ross used to live. Honeyman found Ross behind the house lying on the ground with his dog next to him, according to the court affidavit. About 20 feet behind the house was a dark blue F150 that was still registered to Ross’ father who died in January 2017.

Farris made contact with Ross and immediately could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about his person. According to the affidavit, Ross had managed to get to his feet and was attempting to unlock a padlock on the back of the house to open a door but was unable to accomplish the task.

Ross received an officer assist in unlocking the padlock so his dog could be secured in the residence. Ross then tried to go into the home as well and was told to stay outside. Officers say he threw his keys into the home and shoved the door closed.

Farris states Ross was belligerent and aggressive toward him, threatening to do him bodily harm. When told he was being arrested for DUI, driving under suspension and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, Ross said, “Prove it.”

Because Ross has suffered a stroke in the past and has partial paralysis to the left side, he was not able to perform the standardized field sobriety test. When read the implied consent request, Ross refused to give an answer several times. According to the affidavit, Ross said, “I can’t stand. I can’t take no test.”

Despite having driven the truck to that location, Ross said he now could not stand or walk. Honeyman and Farris assisted Ross to stand and helped him walk to Honeyman’s patrol vehicle. Farris had to lift Ross to get him in the vehicle.

Honeyman took Ross to the Woods County Jail while Farris waited for a wrecker to impound the Ross truck. Since Ross had thrown the keys inside the house, Farris was unable to lock and secure the vehicle.

Billy Lee Ross Jr., 49, of Alva has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a felony. This crime is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, and imprisonment of one to 10 years, 240 hours community service, follow recommendations of assessment and evaluation for treatment, ignition interlock device.

In addition, Ross is charged with two misdemeanors of driving with license cancelled, suspended or revoked and with leaving the scene of an accident that damaged a fixture.