On Friday, March 8, around 2 p.m., a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy was monitoring traffic at the median of 1-10 near mile marker 151 when he saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on the outside shoulder of the westbound lane of I-10.
The vehicle was crossing over the lanes of traffic, putting other motorists in danger.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Mihirkumar Patel. Deputies asked Patel if he would perform a field sobriety test, and he agreed.
Patel was unable to successfully perform any of the field sobriety exercises and was transported to the Marianna Police Department to complete a breath alcohol test.
After providing two breath samples, Patel’s blood alcohol content was found to be 0.170, more than twice the legal limit.
Patel was arrested and is being charged with Driving Under the Influence.
