DUI Driver Ditches Destroyed Car, Suspect Drops Gun in Front of Richland Cops

Late Saturday night a pair of DUI incidents kept Richland Police busy.

One driver ditched destroyed car

2 Richland officers were riding in a patrol car on Stevens Drive near Williams Ave. when a car blew the intersection and nearly hit the police car. A quick traffic stop was initiated, and the driver arrested for DUI as well as other offenses. In addition, when a passenger got out of the right front seat, a loaded 9 MM pistol fell out of his waistband. He was discovered to be a felon in possession of a firearm and also arrested.

Then later that evening, officers  discovered a badly damaged Dodge Challenger near  the intersection of Saint Street and Stevens Drive. The car had slammed into a power pole, but the driver abandoned the car before officers arrived. Apparently they found evidence the driver had alcohol with them, likely consuming it behind the wheel.

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The power pole  crash knocked out electricity in the area, it was restored later in the evening.

The  search for the second driver continues.