A Benton County Road Department worker is on paid suspension after he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in a company vehicle early Friday morning, continuing the road department’s recent track record of arrested employees.
Wayne Lowe, 46, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, driving left of center, no proof of insurance, littering and careless driving. All potential charges are misdemeanors. Lowe was released Friday morning from the Washington County Detention Center on $1,365 bond, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Lowe, a paving machine operator, is on paid suspension. Road officials said they will take his future under advisement Monday.
Police said Lowe was traveling westbound on Drake Street when an officer witnessed him driving left of center and throwing a cigarette out of his window. Lowe allegedly failed sobriety tests given by the officer and was arrested at the scene, according to a preliminary report from Fayetteville District Court.
Lowe’s blood-alcohol level was later registered at 0.14 percent, the report states.
The road department vehicle had to be picked up later. Officials said Lowe’s 12-year-old son recently died of multiple sclerosis.
Three road department supervisors have lost their jobs this month, stemming from a corruption investigation alleging the men used county funds for personal use. Read more here about that investigation.
