A 19-year-old Wildwood man was arrested in Eureka for allegedly being a minor in possession of alcohol by means of consumption, as well as for a number of alleged traffic offenses after police reportedly spotted him speeding. The incident happened about 9:30 p.m. May 11, Eureka Police Lt. Michael Werges said.
A police officer heard a 2006 blue Ford Mustang with a loud exhaust system near North Central Avenue and Fifth Street, and the driver reportedly was seen speeding at the intersection as the light turned red. A police officer followed the vehicle to East Fifth Street and Hwy. 109 where the driver stopped at a red light for about 12 seconds and then allegedly sped away fast enough that the back tires lost traction and the vehicle fishtailed through the red light, police reported.
The driver continued north on Hwy. 109, and the officer turned on the patrol vehicle’s lights and pulled the car over on Elk Run Drive. The driver told the officer he was in a hurry to get home because his dad was nagging him, Werges said.
The officer noticed the driver's eyes appeared bloodshot and asked him if he had been drinking. The driver said he had not, but he failed sobriety tests.
The driver was arrested and taken to the Police Station. In addition to minor in possession of alcohol by consumption, Eureka Police will seek charges against the teen for careless and imprudent driving, excessive acceleration, violating a steady electric signal and excessive unnecessary vehicle noise, Werges said.