FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayetteville woman was charged with driving under the influence after being found slumped over and then driving away.
On September 16, 2024, Fayetteville Police responded to a report on S Lee about a possible impaired driver. The caller informed the Fayette County 911 Center about a 59-year-old woman in a red sports car who might be experiencing mental or emotional issues, possibly related to drug use. The woman had told him she was dying, and he expressed concerns that she might drive away. After leaving the scene, she headed toward Halstead St. Upon arrival, officers found a red convertible Mazda parked awkwardly in the yard of 154 S Lee Addition. The woman was slumped over the steering wheel. When officers approached her, she seemed disoriented and claimed to live at that address, although her actual residence was far away. Her speech was incoherent; her eyes were glassy and red, her movements were unsteady, and they could smell alcohol on her. Officers checked her driver’s license and learned that Ella Mae Turton had an active arrest warrant in Fayette County for Aggravated DUI, Destruction of Property, and Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle.
Police asked Ella to step out of her car and if she would participate in field sobriety tests, but she declined and needed help exiting the vehicle. Police then arrested her for the active warrant and suspicion of DUI. She was uncooperative and lightly resisted arrest, requiring assistance to reach the patrol vehicle due to her impairment. She was taken to the Fayetteville Police Department for processing. While Sgt. Maynor processed her, another officer obtained a search warrant from Magistrate Parsons for a blood sample to test her alcohol level. Ella was transported to Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill, WV, for a blood draw by a licensed phlebotomist. After collecting the sample, she was taken outside for transport to the Southern Regional Jail for arraignment. She refused to enter the patrol vehicle, and after several attempts to get her in, she was placed inside without any force.
Ella was charged with Aggravated DUI and Failure to Maintain Control because her vehicle had rolled into someone else’s yard without proper control. This incident took place within the municipal limits of Fayetteville, WV 25840.
