CASPER — A 55-year-old Casper man faces arraignment in Natrona County District Court for allegedly running over a 57-year-old “drinking buddy” he had just arm wrestled in a local bar.
James Wayne Sack waived his preliminary examination on a charge of driving under the influence with serious bodily injury Thursday, according to court documents that became available Monday.
Court records show Casper Police responded to Frosty’s Bar and Grill after 1 p.m. May 22 on reports of a man pinned underneath a truck.
The first officer on the scene found the victim “lying on his back under the passenger side of a (2005 Dodge Ram) truck between the front and rear passenger wheels,” an arrest affidavit states.
The bartender told police that Sack walked back into the bar shortly after leaving and told those inside that, “I just ran someone over.”
Sack then walked into the restroom and the bartender called 911, the affidavit states.
As the initial responding office went inside the bar, Sack allegedly walked out of the restroom and was having trouble walking. The officer observed the “overpowering odor of intoxicating beverages continuing to emanate from Sack’s person.”
The affidavit says that Sack told officers that he wanted to “plead the Fifth (Amendment)” and not talk to them.
“Sack did confirm the Dodge truck was his and believed the victim intentionally jumped in front of Sack’s truck, causing the accident,” the affidavit states.
Bar Tab: Five Double Shots
Police also got a copy of Sack’s bar tab which showed that he had five Crown Royal double shots as well as some food and three Budweiser drafts that day. Sack told officers he only consumed “one beer” at the bar, but the bartender told officers he drank four of the five double shots, the affidavit states.
Sack refused to comply with a field sobriety test. The bartender told police that he and the victim appeared to know each other and had arm wrestled.
“At some point the (pair) may have had a brief disagreement or argument, but then (the victim) decided to leave, which prompted Sack to close his tab out and leave as well,” the affidavit states.
The victim was taken to Banner Wyoming Medical Center. The affidavit states he suffered four broken ribs, a broken femur, dislocated hip, broken right hand and a laceration on his head.
During an interview with police, the victim could not recall who he was drinking with or who was driving the truck, but did remember being run over.
“(The victim) indicated after initially being run over, the truck backed over him a second time before stopping,” the affidavit. When asked if he knew Sack, the victim told police he “was an old drinking buddy.”
Sack’s license was suspended at the time of the incident. He has had three previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol, court records show.
The charge of driving while under the influence with serious bodily injury carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of not less than $2,000 or more than $5,000.
Sack remains free on a $15,000 cash or surety bond.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
