Stafford, VA. A suspect was arrested on Saturday morning for driving under the influence after deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office observed him driving on the wrong side of the road.

On May 18, 2019, at approximately 5:12 a.m., Deputy Stachurski observed a vehicle traveling south at a high rate of speed in the northbound lanes of Warrenton Road in the area of McLane Drive. The deputy had to maneuver his vehicle out of the path of the suspect vehicle to avoid a crash. Two other vehicles also narrowly avoided being struck by the suspect vehicle.

Deputy Stachurski immediately activated his emergency equipment and the vehicle continued traveling in the wrong direction. A traffic stop was conducted in the area of South Gateway Drive. The deputy made contact with the driver who was identified as Eric Ward, 38, of Fredericksburg.

Ward admitted to drinking prior to driving. He told the deputy he was driving on the wrong side of the road because he was distracted. Field sobriety tests were subsequently conducted and a preliminary breath test was administered.

The suspect was taken into custody for driving under the influence and incarcerated at Rappahannock Regional Jail.