A 29-year-old Riverton man is facing one count of felony driving under the influence after being charged with his 4th DUI in less than 10 years.
On January 19th the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office responded to a REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) tip on Highway 789 between Riverton and Shoshoni.
The vehicle in question was described as entering oncoming traffic and nearly causing a head-on collision, as well as leaving the roadway into the barrow ditch.
Fremont County Sheriff’s and Wyoming Highway Patrol both recorded in court documents also observing the vehicle driving erratically, crossing the center line and passing in a no passing zone.
As the vehicle entered Shoshoni city limits, a Sheriff’s Deputy noticed the vehicle was dragging what appeared to be a hose that was wrapped around the rear driver-side axel. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop.
Court documents show the driver exited the vehicle after the stop was initiated and, “was unsteady on his feet, bracing himself against the vehicle to maintain his balance.” The Deputy noted that he could immediately smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver, and noticed a black trash bag hanging from the steering column, which contained numerous cans of Budweiser that had been consumed.
The driver identified himself as Cefus Wood. Wood agreed to a field sobriety check, which he failed. An intoximeter test showed his BAC was a .196 during two separate tests. Wood’s driver’s license also showed a requirement that his vehicle was to have an interlock device, which it did not.
After Wood’s arrest, Sheriff’s became aware that a vehicle matching Cefus’ had been reported by a Riverton gas station. The vehicle had driven away with the gas nozzle still attached. The Deputy found the nozzle still inside of the gas tank, the hose was recovered underneath the vehicle.
Wood is being charged with one count of Felony Driving Under The Influence. Because this is his 4th penalty in the last 10 years, it could qualify under an enhanced penalty. The maximum sentence for this is 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. He faces one count of Driving Without Interlock. This is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months of imprisonment and a fine of up to $700. He also faces one count of Open Container, punishable by a fine of up to $200.
On January 31st, the matter was transferred to District Court for further proceedings and arraignment at a later date.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.