Underaged DUI
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Saturday, July 18, 2020, Atoka Police Officer Jedediah Griffith attempted a traffic stop on a grey 2018 Dodge Charger.
The Charger did not yield to the officer, turning onto North Minnesota Avenue. Officer Griffith activated his emergency siren following the vehicle.
The driver stopped at the stop sign near Minnesota Avenue and Court Street before continuing through the intersection. Crossing West First Street, the Charger came to a stop in a field located on the corner of South Minnesota and West First Street.
Officer Griffith drew his weapon to conduct the felony stop, ordering the driver to exit the vehicle.
The driver, identified as James Daniel Beach, 19, of Tupelo had the strong odor of alcohol on his breath and person. Beach had a slow, slurred speech and red bloodshot watery eyes. He was very unsteady on his feet and admitted to drinking “way too many.”
Due to the circumstances of the traffic stop a Standardized Field Sobriety Test was not conducted. Beach agreed to take the State’s test.
Located inside the vehicle was an open 12 ounce bottle of Coors Light beer; a Kel-tec 9mm pistol; and a Kel-tec magazine with three rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition.
Beach was transported to the Atoka County Jail for booking. At the jail, Beach provided two breath samples with the results being 0.11 breath alcohol content. Legally intoxicated in Oklahoma is 0.08 breath alcohol content.
He is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (misdemeanor), possession of alcohol by person under 21 (misdemeanor), carrying firearm while under the influence (misdemeanor), and transporting opened contained of intoxicating beverage (misdemeanor).
