An Atoka man was arrested Monday afternoon for alleged actual physical control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated, following a welfare check request at a local parking lot.
The individual was found asleep in a running vehicle and later recorded a blood alcohol content significantly over the legal limit.
On May 26, 2025, at approximately 3:20 PM, Officer Christian Shomo of the Atoka Police Department responded to a call from Atoka County Dispatch. The reporting party, who was in Pruett’s parking lot, requested a welfare check on his father, Thomas Trobaugh, who was believed to be inside a blue Dodge Challenger. The son had been unable to contact his father that day.
Upon arrival at Pruett's, Officer Shomo located the blue Dodge Challenger, noting it was running with a male individual inside whose head was down, appearing to be asleep. Officer Shomo knocked on the window, and Thomas Trobaugh awoke, appearing dazed and confused. After a second request, Trobaugh complied and rolled down the window.
While speaking with Trobaugh, Officer Shomo observed slurred speech and detected an odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Trobaugh admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages, stating he had argued with his daughter and drank before driving to Atoka.
He explained he pulled into Pruett’s parking lot to sleep, estimating he had been there for approximately 30 minutes.
Officer Shomo asked Trobaugh to exit the vehicle. As Trobaugh exited, he reportedly used the car for balance and was observed swaying when attempting to stand straight. Trobaugh stated he had last consumed alcohol about two or three hours prior. He declined to provide a preliminary breath sample but agreed to an eye check.
During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, Trobaugh reportedly staggered while attempting to position his feet together and was unable to smoothly track the stimulus, often staring straight ahead.
Officer Shomo observed four out of six clues for impairment. Due to Trobaugh's unsteadiness and inability to consistently follow instructions during the HGN test, further field sobriety tests were not conducted.
Thomas Trobaugh was then placed under arrest for actual physical control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Atoka Police Sergeant Cody Poe assisted in ensuring the vehicle was safely parked before leaving the scene.
Trobaugh was transported to the Atoka County Jail. After a 15-minute observation period, he provided two breath samples into the Intoxilyzer 8000, which registered a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) of 0.22. Trobaugh was subsequently booked into the Atoka County Jail without further incident.
