WINONA, Minn. – Police first arrested Jason Wayne Williams, a driver who failed sobriety tests. Officers advised his passenger, who also appeared intoxicated, to find some other way home — but not to drive. After packing Williams into a squad car to go to jail, officers saw the passenger climb into the car and, yes, drive away. He too was arrested. The pair were a father and son: Jason Wayne Williams, 40, of Rollingstone, and William Earnest Williams, 68, of the south St. Paul suburb Newport. For the dad’s arrest the officers took specific note of his signs of inebriation: Bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, and stumbling around. The father refused to be tested for blood-alcohol but was jailed anyway. Like his son, he was charged with drunken driving but also with test refusal.
The back story
The original traffic stop had been about 1:15 a.m. after an officer observed a driver revving his engine, apparently just for the egocentric joy of the noise. This was at Huff and Second streets, just west of the downtown bar district. The officer followed the car a few blocks, noting the driver failing to maintain lanes. The stop was made. Jason Wayne Williams told the officer he was lost. He also admitted to a couple cider-type beers but, gee, that was at least three hours earlier. His appearance, however, suggested he had downed more — bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech, and a tell-tale body reek. In a breath test, his blood showed the alcohol content at 0.22%. That’s 2-1/2 times what state law tolerates for driving. Police left for jail with Jason Williams. Then they saw his passenger — his dad, William Williams —drive off. Hence the dad’s arrest.
Booking takes time
The dad was booked into jail at 3:12 a.m., the son at 3:52 a.m.
Jason Williams. His blood-alcohol was down to 0.20% when rechecked a jail. Still way elevated.
William Williams. Refused to be tested for blood alcohol.