LG Man Faces Felony DWI After Wreck in Downtown

La Grange Police arrested a local man for felony driving while intoxicated following a crash last Wednesday, Nov. 25.

The wreck happened at the intersection of Jefferson St. (US 77) and Travis St. (Business 71) around 9:05 p.m. According to a report from La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath, 59-year-old Bobby Ward of La Grange was driving a 2000 Toyota Tundra south on Jefferson Street. Ward was following behind a 2000 Freightliner trucktractor pulling a flatbed trailer. The Freightliner was driven by 47-year-old Jorge Luis Carranza Jr. of Encino. A passenger, 31-year-old Manuel Carranza, was also riding in the Freightliner.

Gilbreath said the traffic light at the intersection was green at the time. He said Ward ran into the back of the flatbed trailer. La Grange Police Officer John Wostarek responded to the wreck.

“Officer Wostarek observed that Bobby Ward displayed signs of intoxication and conducted a field sobriety test,” Gilbreath said.

Gilbreath said Ward failed the test. Wostarek arrested Ward for driving while intoxicated. Gilbreath said Ward suffered a cut to his forehead during the wreck. Wostarek took Ward to St. Mark’s hospital for treatment before transporting him to the Fayette County Jail.

Gilbreath said the arrest was Ward’s third or more for DWI. As a result, Ward faces a felony DWI charge that could result in a state prison sentence of two to ten years and a fine of $10,000 if convicted.