Welfare check on driver results in arrest

 

August 9, 2020



Someone called Woods County E911 about a man on a motorcycle who seemed belligerent and intoxicated. The call came in about 1:09 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4. A customer just leaving the Angry Bull Saloon in Alva reported seeing a bearded man wearing a green or brown shirt and blue jeans getting on a motorcycle and riding away. The caller said the man appeared to be intoxicated and was acting belligerent and had nearly hit their vehicle as he was riding away.

According to court documents, after leaving the Angry Bull, the caller said they observed the same motorcycle parked near the Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo facility, located at U.S. Highway 281 and Jefferson Road, but they did not see the driver at the time.

Woods County Deputy Kyle Fuller responded to the area along with Alva Police Officer William Shahan. They did not find the motorcycle so Shahan continued east down Jefferson Road while Fuller went northbound on US-281.

At the intersection of US-281 and Johnston Road, Fuller saw a motorcycle come to a stop at the stop sign on the west side of US-281. The motorcycle turned southbound onto US-281 traveling back toward Alva. Believing this was the driver he was seeking, Fuller turned around to follow and notified Shahan.

Fuller caught up with the motorcycle near the intersection of Flynn Street and US-281, also known as Lane Street, in Alva. Fuller saw the driver was wearing a greenish brown t-shirt and blue jeans matching the description given. He also saw the driver was weaving inside his lane and was on a Harley Davidson XL1200.

Fuller initiated a traffic stop with the motorcycle turning right onto Locust and stopping just west of Lane Street. Officers Shahan and Sean Farris arrived to assist. Fuller approached the driver and informed him of the reason for the stop. The driver was identified as Triston John Gluth. In speaking to Gluth, Fuller observed his speech was slurred and his eyes were red and watery.

When asked, Gluth denied being at the Angry Bull. He said he was coming from Capron to Alva to buy cigarettes. Fuller told him he saw him turn onto US-281 from Johnston Road from the west, which is not in the direction of Capron. Gluth said he had not turned off Johnston Road but had turned off Flynn Street.

As Gluth walked to the patrol vehicle, Fuller noted he appeared unsteady on his feet. In the vehicle, Fuller asked Gluth if he had been drinking, and he admitted he had been at the Angry Bull, stating he had two beers. Fuller asked him to take the Standardized Field Sobriety Test, but Gluth refused.

Fuller informed Gluth he was being placed under arrest for driving under the influence. He placed him in handcuffs and performed a pat search for weapons. He then had him sit in the front passenger seat of the patrol vehicle.

Shahan stated he believed he could also smell an odor of marijuana coming from Gluth’s person, but none was found at that point. Fuller read Gluth the implied consent test request, but when asked if he would take the test, Gluth replied, “Nope.”

Gluth then said he would possibly take the state’s test. Fuller told him he had time to change his mind while they were going to the Woods County Jail. Gluth began getting more agitated and acting belligerent. Fuller exited the vehicle to speak with Officers Shahan and Farris. As they were standing on the driver side of Fuller’s vehicle, Fuller heard a banging sound and observed Gluth slamming his head into the window of Fuller’s patrol vehicle.

To prevent Gluth from injuring himself or damaging the vehicle, Farris and Fuller removed him from the vehicle and placed him on the ground. At that point, Gluth stated if he was taken to jail he would attempt to kill himself. Fuller decided to take Gluth to the hospital for evaluation.

Fuller arrived at Share Medical Center with Gluth at approximately 1:56 a.m. Officers Shahan and Farris came to assist. Once inside the emergency room, Gluth continued to resist and act belligerent. He was kept in restraints for his own safety and the safety of officers and medical staff.

When Fuller arrived back at the Woods County Sheriff’s Office, he found a green leafy substance in the front passenger seat of his patrol vehicle where Gluth had been sitting. Based on his training and experience, Fuller knew it to be marijuana. Fuller noted that Gluth was the only person to sit in that seat all night.

Fuller also found in the back left pocket of the jeans Gluth had been wearing a piece of clear plastic wrapping with more marijuana.

At approximately 7 a.m. Gluth was cleared from the hospital and brought to the Woods County Sheriff’s Office for booking.

Triston John Gluth, 22, of Alva, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating substances, a felony. This crime is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, and imprisonment of one to five years, or a minimum of 28 days treatment followed by 30 days of aftercare at the defendant’s expense.

 

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