Stuttgart Arkansas PD Officer Hardin Assisting Officer Johnson With DWI Suspect On 4 Wheeler

On August 26, 2023 I, Patrolman Colton Hardin, assisted Patrolman Haley Johnson on a
traffic stop with Mr. Lapetrie Thomas, who we had received a call about being intoxicated while
driving a four wheeler. Patrolman Johnson had already made contact with Thomas when I
arrived. I could detect a strong odor of intoxicants coming from Thomas and Thomas’ speech was
slurred. While Patrolman Johnson was having dispatch run Thomas through ACIC and getting
information on Thomas’ four wheeler I began Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, The first test conducted was the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. Before instructions were given for the test Thomas began showing scars from bullet wounds, advising he had been shot six times in the past and that his nerves were bad due to being shot. Thomas was instructed to remove his hat, stand with his feet together with his hands down by his side, and a stimulus was held approximately six inches from his face at nose level. Thomas was asked if he wore glasses or contact lenses, to which Thomas replied no. Thomas was instructed to focus on the tip of the stimulus and to follow the stimulus with his eyes and his eyes only without moving his head. Equal pupil size and resting nystagmus (nystagmus being an involuntary jerking of the eyes) were checked first to ensure Thomas was not under the influence of any narcotics or had a head injury. Thomas had equal pupil size and no resting nystagmus. Thomas was then checked for lack of smooth pursuit. Thomas showed lack of smooth pursuit in both left and right eyes, showing two of the six clues. Next Thomas was checked for distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation. Thomas showed distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both left and right eyes, showing two more of the six clues. The last part of the test conducted was to check nystagmus prior to forty five degrees. Thomas did not show nystagmus prior to forty five degrees. All together Thomas showed four of the six clues. Although not a clue, Thomas would begin to move his head during the test and would be instructed again to follow the stimulus with his eyes and his eyes only without moving his head. Although not a clue, it was noticed that while Thomas was swaying back and forth during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. The second test conducted was the nine step walk and turn. Thomas was advised that a demonstration would be given while instructions were also given. Thomas was advised he would stand with his hands down by his side with his left foot in front of his right foot, with the heel of his left foot touching the toes of his right foot. Thomas was advised the demonstration would consist of three steps but Thomas was to take nine steps. Thomas was advised he would imagine a line coming from his left foot, with his hands by his side while looking at his feet, to take nine steps down the line while counting his steps out loud. Thomas was advised and shown that at the end of the nine steps Thomas would keep his front foot on the ground and take a series of small steps with the other foot to turn around and take nine more heel to toe steps back down the line. Thomas was asked if he understood the demonstration and instructions, to which Thomas replied that he did. Thomas began the test and on the first nine steps Thomas lost his balance, missed step eight along with stepping off line, took the wrong number of steps (Thomas took ten steps), then made and improper turn, showing four of eight clues. Thomas then missed the third step on the nine steps back down the line. All together Thomas showed four of the eight clues. The final test conducted was the one leg stand. Thomas was given a demonstration while instructions were given. Thomas was instructed to stand with his feet together and hands by his sides. Thomas was instructed to take either foot of his choosing, lift it six inches from the ground while keeping his foot parallel to the ground, and count out loud one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand, and so on until told to stop. Thomas was asked if he understood the demonstration and instructions, to which Thomas replied that he did, and Thomas was instructed to begin. Thomas was swaying while holding his foot up and began to use his arms for balance, showing two of the four clues. All together Thomas showed two out of four clues. Although not a clue, Thomas did not count out loud as instructed. Thomas was then placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended drivers license, then transported to the Stuttgart Police Department for a chemical test.