Man Arrested After Crash for Possible DUI

Injury was avoided by the sole occupant in a rollover crash on I-30 westbound late Sunday night but a brief visit to the jail was not.

Ruben Melendez, possibly of Denver, CO, told law enforcement he had been at his sister’s house in Hope before he crashed his Chrysler Town & Country minivan near the 18 mile marker of I-30 West at around 11:10 p.m. Sunday night.

Melendez appeared to have lost control of his van, striking and taking out a large section of guardrail before going into a spin and rolling over, coming to a stop upright, facing west in the north ditch. Melendez declined to give any details as to what happened.

Melendez was out of the vehicle and appeared uninjured when Fulton firefighters arrived on scene. He was checked by Pafford EMS but declined transport to the hospital.

Melendez was cited for careless and prohibited driving and driving with no license. After being given a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test by Trooper May, Melendez was advised by Trooper Bussey that he was slightly over the legal limit and was going to be transported to the jail where his blood alcohol content would be tested. Trooper Bussey told Melendez if he tested over  the limit he would be charged with DUI. Melendez was arrested on suspicion on DUI and transported by Hempstead County Deputies to the Hempstead County Detention Facility.

Melendez was later transported from the jail to Wadley Regional Medical Center. We are unable to confirm if he was charged with DUI at this time but, according to the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office website, Melendez was released immediately after booking at around 1:20 a.m.

Trooper Bussey is investigating the crash.