A 61-year-old Stafford man only guessed that he had too much to drink after crashing his vehicle in South Stafford.

On December 20th at approximately 4:18 p.m. Deputy J.W. McAlister responded to New Hope Church Road for an auto accident. It was advised a Dodge Journey forgot to dodge while making its journey and struck a stone pillar. The caller would also report the driver seemed intoxicated.

Deputy McAlister arrived and discovered the less than ideal parking at the end of the victim’s driveway. It was discovered the Dodge was traveling Northbound when it veered off the left shoulder, went up an embankment before crashing through a wooden fence and striking a stone pillar. Deputy McAlister made contact with the driver, who was attempting to clean up his mess by picking up debris. The driver had signs of intoxication and admitted that he consumed “probably too much.”

The driver was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content between .15 and .2, as well as, failure to travel on the right side of the road. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone the importance of driving sober. If you plan to consume alcohol, plan a safe way home instead of a ride to Rappahannock Regional Jail.