Former Lt. Gov. Mark Darr arrested for drunk driving after crash
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SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Former Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, 50, was arrested on March 7 in Springdale for driving while intoxicated, open container containing alcohol in motor vehicle and implied consent.
According to an arrest report, police responded to a traffic accident at 4566 Powell Street where an SUV was flipped on its side in a ditch.
Police said when they approached the SUV, they smelled the strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle.
The report said officers helped Darr out of his car and noticed an open bottle of alcohol in the center console.
When asked, Darr told police he had one drink before driving. He told police he had an 8 ounce Tito’s and Redbull two hours prior to the accident.
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Darr agreed to a field sobriety test and told police a deer ran in front of him, according to the report.
The report says Darr was told several times to keep his head still and forward during the test but failed to do so.
Police also had to tell Darr several times the starting position of the walk and turn test before he was able to complete it, according to the report.
The report said Darr lost his balance several times throughout the test, and stepped off the line, missed the heel to toe, had an improper turn and raised his arms.
The report says Darr was not able to keep his foot off the ground for more than a second during the one leg stand.
Darr was taken to the Springdale Police Department where he was arrested and refused to give a breath sample.
Darr’s court date is set for April 9 at 8:30 a.m.
Darr served as lieutenant governor from 2011-14. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, he resigned with almost a year left in his term after he became involved in investigations relating to alleged ethics violations.
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