Corporal Lee Rogers listens as a heavily intoxicated 65 year old Elizabeth Deaton talks.
Intoxicated Driver Nearly Has Head On Collision With Sheriff Deputy, ONALASKA, April 24, 2012 - At around 5:30 pm on April 24, 2012, the report of an erratic driver came in to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. According to witnesses, the vehicle was a late model Ford Focus and would weave into oncoming traffic on US-190 West. The driver was identified as Mary Cox Deaton, 65, and resides just outside Polk County, in San Jacinto County in the subdivision of Holiday Village. Deaton was east-bound. Deputy Troy Binford was nearby and headed her way. Binford was west-bound on 190 and nearly slammed into Deputy Binford head on a couple of miles east of the Onalaska City Limits. Binford turned his vehicle around and caught up with Deaton and initiated a traffic stop. Binford was soon joined by Corporal Lee Rogers (also with the Polk County Sheriff's Office). Deaton appeared to be intoxicated. Rogers summoned Trooper David Flowers with the Texas Highway Patrol, to conduct a field sobriety test on Deaton. Deaton admitted to taking Xanax and couldn't perform the tasks asked of her for a field sobriety test. She was placed under arrest and booked into Polk County Jail for driving while intoxicated. Deaton's vehicle was recovered by George White & Sons Wrecker Service and will be stored in Onalaska.
Deputy Troy Binford (left) explains to Trooper David Flowers how Deaton nearly had a head on collision with him.
Deaton couldn't walk a straight line.
Trooper David Flowers placed Deaton under arrest and charged her with driving while intoxicated.
In an odd twist to this story, upon opening Elizabeth Deaton's trunk, the sight of toy cars (particularly a black and white behind a white car) added an unusual irony to the story (see next picture).
Deaton's vehicle was recovered by George White & Sons Wrecker Service.
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