A Sheridan County Commissioner was arrested last week for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision with unattended property.
Christine Haswell, 48, was spotted driving erratically in a white 2021 GMC Yukon at about 9:29 the evening of April 10, according to documents filed last week in Sheridan Circuit Court.
One person reported the Yukon was swerving “all over the road,” says an affidavit in support of a blood-draw warrant in Haswell’s file.
The responding officer reportedly found the Yukon trying to perform a U-turn in the driveway of the green waste lot in Sheridan, before it turned back onto the road and swerved briefly across the center lane.
Glassy Eyes, Slurred Speech
The officer pulled the driver over, spoke with Haswell and observed the odor of alcohol, the document says.
Haswell allegedly admitted to consuming two beers. Her eyes were glassy, her speech was slurred, she struggled with the officer’s instructions, the document says, adding that the officer escorted her to the patrol vehicle and handcuffed her.
During the drive to the jail, the officer learned that two more people had reported the Yukon for driving onto their driveway and breaking some stone masonry.
Haswell declined to allow a blood draw for alcohol testing, so the officer requested and received a warrant for the sample, the court file says.
Not-Guilty Plea
Haswell submitted a written not-guilty plea April 11 and was released on an unsecured $1,000 bond.
Haswell declined Tuesday to comment to Cowboy State Daily.
Commission Chair Nick Siddle declined to give a statement as well, saying the case is an ongoing legal matter.
Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric has been appointed, as an outside official, to prosecute the matter.
Failing to stop and report a collision with unattended property is punishable, upon a first offense, by a fine of up to $200. Misdemeanor DUI is punishable by up to six months in jail and $750 in fines.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
