Even at 8:45 a.m. in the morning, impaired people are driving around under the influence of alcohol and drugs. It was at that time on Friday morning that a citizen reported a driver on East Benjamin Avenue about to enter Stanton County smoking a large marijuana joint. The vehicle was observed by the Stanton County Sheriff’s office on Hwy 35 and the vehicle was stopped on Hwy 35 north of Woodland Park. The lone driver, Ramiro Sotelo-Aviles, 29, of Norfolk appeared to be under the influence. He subsequently failed roadside sobriety testing and was placed under arrest for DWI. Marijuana and paraphernalia was also located in his vehicle along with an open alcoholic liquor container. Sotelo-Aviles was further found to have a revoked driver’s license and also had an active Madison County Arrest Warrant for Failure to Appear (FTA). He was booked at the Sheriff’s office where he failed a chemical breath test and was jailed on a Third Offense Driving While Intoxicated, Driving During Suspension along with the other named charges and then jailed. “As I say over and over, impaired drivers are present at all times of the day and night and tragedy is just a split second away on busy roadways like Hwy 35.” SHERIFF MIKE UNGER
