OAKLEY – An official public housing authority vehicle was involved in a wreck on Saturday, June 29, with one person going to jail.
According to the arrest citation, Magoffin County Sheriff Department Deputy D. Watson was dispatched to South River Road just past Shafter Arnett Road on June 29 in reference to a single vehicle collision. Upon arriving on scene, police noted the driver was standing next to a white 2024 Chevrolet Colorado flipped on its top.
Upon contact with the operator, identified as James Morgan Shepherd II, of Oakley Road, in Magoffin, police reported observing slowed speech, very red, glassy eyes, very unsteady and staggering walk and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him, according to the citation.
After failing a field sobriety test and the preliminary breath test indicating the presence of alcohol, Shepherd was placed under arrest. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found a medicine bottle in the console of the truck containing seven round green pills. The bottle reportedly had no label and Shepherd told police he used to get them prescribed to him. Law enforcement had a pharmacist confirm the pills were benzodiazepine, according to the police report.
Shepherd consented to breath and blood tests, and was transported to a local area hospital for the blood test, while also medically cleared, according to the citation.
Shepherd was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/substances, first, and third-degree possession of controlled substance, drug unspecified. He was released on bond roughly seven hours later, pending future court dates, not scheduled at this time.
The Chevy Colorado involved in the wreck belongs to the Salyersville/Magoffin County Housing Authority, where Shepherd is employed as the executive director.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
