DOVER — On May 5, 2024, at approximately 2:14 a.m., Dover Patrol Units responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of East Blackwell Street and South Salem Street.
Dover Police Officers were advised that the vehicle had struck a tree.
Upon arrival, a vehicle was observed to be on the front lawn of the Dover Housing Authority (215 East Blackwell Street), with its rear bumper touching a tree.
Next to the vehicle was the driver, Mr. Cristian Arias-Gomez, 34.
When Dover Police Officer Caraig Christopher approached Mr. Arias-Gomez, he began walking away toward the Dover Housing Authority parking lot.
The officer told him to stop several times, and he complied.
Mr. Arias-Gomez gave Officer Christopher his car keys. When asked what happened and if he was driving the vehicle, he stated he was. He stated he was not hurt or injured. He wanted to leave the vehicle parked on the front lawn of the property. He stated he was bartending earlier tonight at a country club, and he wanted to be handcuffed immediately because he was irresponsible. When asked how many alcoholic beverages he consumed, he was not forthcoming about how many but stated he worked at Spring Brook Country Club.
He then stated he wanted to go to the Police Headquarters and stay there for the night. When asked if he wanted to perform the standardized field sobriety tests, he agreed to it. Prior to the tests, he stated he was not diabetic and did not take insulin. He stated he was wearing contact lenses. He stated he was not injured. He stated he does not have any physical disabilities that would prohibit him from performing the tests. He stated he had consumed an unknown amount of alcoholic beverages before the crash.
As soon as Officer Christian started the first test, Mr. Arias-Gomez lost his balance and leaned to the side where Officer Martinez and I caught him before he almost fell.
The test was stopped for his safety.
Mr. Arias-Gomez was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was handcuffed behind his back, with the handcuffs being double locked. He was searched with negative results of contraband.
The Dover Police Department’s Alcotest machine was not functioning. Officer Christian transported Mr. Arias-Gomez to the Wharton Police Department. He was read his Miranda Rights and provided with the form. He signed the Miranda Form.
Officer Christian administered the Alcotest to Mr. Arias-Gomez. He provided two sufficient breath samples. The Alcotest results indicated that Mr. Arias-Gomez had a BAC of 0.22%. He was transported to Dover Police Headquarters
At Dover Police Headquarters Mr. Arias-Gomez was issued the following traffic summonses:
•Driving while intoxicated (39:4-50), 1409-E24-002597
•Careless driving (39:4-97), 1409-E24-002598
He was then released to a responsible adult. Bunky’s Towing towed his 2011 Honda from the scene.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
