Eureka Police arrested a 66-year-old Pacific man for suspicion of driving while intoxicated after officers were called to check on his condition at the Taco Bell restaurant, 83 Hilltop Village Center Drive. The man was allegedly parked across multiple parking spaces and blocked a portion of the lot for about two hours before an employee called the police, Lt. Brett Grittini said.
Officers were called at about 2 a.m. Nov. 8 to the restaurant. An employee said the man had been served at the drive-thru window and parked a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 after receiving his food, the report.
The pickup’s engine was running when police arrived, and an officer allegedly saw an open Bud Light can in a cupholder. The man told officers he was okay and was “just hanging out, man,” according to the report.
The man allegedly appeared impaired, and he struggled to turn off the pickup’s engine. After the engine was turned off, officers helped the man get out of the Ram, the report said.
The man allegedly told officers he was sleeping in the pickup for a while before they arrived. He also said he had not drank any alcohol and was “just thinking about things,” according to the report.
He allegedly failed field sobriety tests and was arrested. He was transported to the police station, where he was booked and released to a sober driver, the report said.
The man was issued a summons to appear in Eureka Municipal Court for alleged DWI, Grittini said.