A Fort Mill man who was suspected of driving drunk into Kingsley Town Center was arrested last weekend after traveling on a median, going the wrong way and stopping in front of Panera Bread, a sheriff’s report says.
James Riley Stewart Jr., 59, of Quail Ridge Lane, was arrested Sunday afternoon after he was found driving drunk with an open beer can in his truck, a report says. He could have hurt someone with his dangerous driving.
At about 5 p.m. Sunday, a deputy was patrolling Highway 160 and spotted the man’s red Ford pickup truck on a median that is still under construction and closed off with traffic cones. The officer tried to pull the man over, but he turned left into Kingsley onto a one-way road that is marked “Wrong Way,” finally stopping in front of Panera Bread.
As the deputy approached the driver, Stewart began talking about how he was not familiar with the area and was coming to see a new restaurant. He reeked of alcohol, had glassy eyes and confessed to having three drinks earlier. He even had an open beer can in the truck.
Stewart claimed to be “good to drive,” the report says. But he soon failed a sobriety test and later declined to take a breathalyzer test.
He charged with DUI, driving on a median, driving down a one-way road and open beer container in a motor vehicle.
Stewart has at least one previous conviction for DUI in York County and a previous charge for open container of alcohol in a vehicle, according to online court records.