Dover Man Arrested for DWI Following Concerned Citizen Tip
DOVER — On Saturday, March 1, Dover Police arrested a local man for driving while intoxicated after a concerned citizen reported a potentially impaired driver in the parking lot of Thomas Liquors, located at 24 South Morris Street.
At approximately 8:44 p.m., the caller observed a white 2005 Ford F250 nearly strike another vehicle twice and noted that the driver appeared heavily intoxicated and could barely walk. By the time the officers arrived, the vehicle had left the area.
Officer German Liranzo conducted a follow-up and located the suspect vehicle parked behind 120 First Street, where it was observed parking. A motor vehicle stop was initiated, and officers made contact with Juan Diaz-Gomez, 44, who was identified as the driver. Diaz-Gomez initially claimed his son had been driving but later admitted he had operated the vehicle. Open containers of Corona beer were observed on the truck’s floorboard.
Due to inclement weather, Diaz-Gomez was transported to Dover Police Headquarters for field sobriety testing. He was observed swaying, unable to maintain balance, and he failed all three tests—the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand. For his safety, the latter two tests were terminated.
Diaz-Gomez admitted to consuming six beers between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. that day. He declined to provide breath samples after reading the Standard Statement in Spanish.
He was processed at police headquarters and released to a responsible party, his son, Cesar Diazmatute. The vehicle was towed from the scene in accordance with John’s Law.
Summonses issued include:
- Driving While Intoxicated (39:4-50)
- Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle (39:4-51b)
- Careless Driving (39:4-97)
- Consent to take samples of Breath (39:4-50.2)
- Refusal to submit to chemical test, penalties (39:4-504a)
The Dover Police Department reminds all drivers of the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to keep the community safe.
