Authorities say a man was arrested Sunday night for third-offense DUI after the vehicle he did not have permission to drive went into a flooded ditch east of Mitchell.
John Patton, 19, of rural Mitchell, drove a Dodge Ram pickup into the ditch near the intersection of Highway 38 and 416th Avenue, according to the Hanson County Sheriff's Office. Officers received a report that someone was driving a vehicle with a flat tire around 7:13 p.m.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they reportedly found Patton outside the vehicle acting suspiciously. He also gave authorities a false name, according to Hanson County Sheriff Brandon Wingert.
Patton refused medical service, and authorities applied for and were granted a search warrant to draw his blood. About three hours after the crash, Patton consented to a preliminary breath test at the Davison County Jail with a result of 0.194 percent.
During the investigation, officers learned Patton did not have permission to drive the Dodge Ram, which was partially submerged in water after it drove off the road.
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Patton is being held at the Davison County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond. He's been charged with third-offense DUI, a Class 6 felony, punishable upon conviction by up to two years in jail. He was also charged with false impersonation, obstruction of law enforcement, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license.
Wingert said there could be further charges following the results of the blood draw.
Alexandria Fire Department, Mitchell fire and ambulance, Hanson County Sheriff and Davison County Sheriff were on scene.
