Chase on Watertown streets prompts DWI arrest

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2013

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A Fort Drum man is facing a dozen charges, including driving while intoxicated, after Watertown police say he led two patrols on a chase early Friday on Watertown streets.

Christopher G. Butler, 20, also is cited with fourth-degree criminal mischief, failure to comply with police orders, driving without headlights, failure to keep right, speeding at 45 mph in a 30-mph zone, two stop sign infractions and four counts of failing to signal turns.

Police said he refused to take a breath test.

He was detained for arraignment Friday in City Court.

Police said the chase began on State Street, where Mr. Butler failed to stop for a patrol. His drive continued on Indiana Avenue and Ohio Street, and concluded shortly before 2 a.m. at 1429 Gill St. There, he put the Jeep he was driving into reverse, then got out, police said. The Jeep backed into the rear passenger-side door of a patrol car, extensively damaging the door, police said.

Other motorists charged with DWI and related offenses:

■ Jodi L. Suman, 23, of 32480 Old Town Springs Road, Chaumont, was arrested by state troopers after her vehicle slammed into a parked auto about 11:40 p.m. Thursday at Ridge Road and Hunt Street in the town of Watertown.

She also was charged with making an unsafe lane change, failure to use a designated lane, driving at a speed not reasonable or prudent and operating a vehicle having a suspended registration.

Police listed her blood alcohol content as 0.17 percent. A BAC level of 0.08 percent or more is considered proof of intoxication under state law.

■ Daniel R. Brown, 38, of 6678 Olmstead Road, Lowville, was charged by Lewis County sheriff’s deputies with aggravated DWI and failure to keep right at 1:36 a.m. Friday on Number Four Road in the village of Lowville.

Mr. Brown had a BAC of 0.19 percent, deputies said. Aggravated DWI is charged when the BAC is 0.18 percent or more.