Hunter
08/01/26
An Iowa City man was arrested Thursday night for OWI after someone called police about his alleged reckless driving.
43-year-old Phillip Chavez of Benton Drive was operating a 2016 Dodge Ram when a witness allegedly saw him back into a pole and drove over the curb at the Burger King on Boyrum Street. Police stopped him near the intersection of Highway 6 and Gilbert Street at 10:30pm and noticed damage to the rear bumper and the third break light not functioning.
Chavez denied striking the pole but acknowledged that he had just come from Burger King. A check of his record showed a no-contact order in effect with the passenger in the vehicle since May 30th.
Officers also reportedly observed an open container of liquor in his possession. Further investigation allegedly found Chavez with bloodshot watery eyes, impaired speech, unsteady balance and the odor of ingested alcohol.
After showing measurable impairment on field tests, Chavez submitted to a preliminary breath test showing him over the legal limit to drive. A subsequent Datamaster showed his breath-alcohol level at .253 percent, over three times the legal limit.
Chavez was charged with OWI first offense and violating the no-contact order. He could be sentenced to up to a year in jail if convicted on the OWI charge.