An early morning traffic stop on West Liberty Road ended with a driver in custody after Atoka police officers noted open liquor and severe physical instability.
According to the report, Atoka Police Master Patrol Officer Peydon Griffith was in the department's front parking lot at approximately 5:45 AM on Thursday, July 2, 2026, when he heard a vehicle with an exceptionally loud exhaust traveling westbound. Officer Griffith noted the vehicle was also missing its license plate.
Officer Griffith exited the station and activated his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle turned into the Choctaw Nation Atoka Campus, where its engine suddenly died. The patrol unit was blocking the westbound lane of West Liberty Road, Griffith used his audible PA system to instruct the driver to pull forward, but the driver did not comply. As Griffith approached the vehicle on foot, he could hear the driver repeatedly attempting to restart the engine.
