An Atoka man was arrested on May 14, 2025, for alleged actual physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated after authorities responded to a report of a possible intoxicated person at a church.
According to a police report, at approximately 3:08 PM, Sergeant Cody Poe of the Atoka Police Department was dispatched to the Methodist Church located near W. 1st St. and US 69. Dispatch had informed him of a vehicle with a flat tire that had reportedly hit something near the church.
Upon arrival, Sgt. Poe observed a gray vehicle in the parking lot with what appeared to be a recently placed spare tire on the front driver's side. The driver, identified as Russell Davis, was sitting in the driver's seat. Upon contact, Sgt. Poe detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle. Davis's speech was slurred, and his eyes were glossy.
Davis admitted to taking approximately 12 different medications daily, including Gabapentin, and stated he had consumed alcohol earlier in the day, specifying two beers. Davis had difficulty exiting the vehicle and had to use his car for balance when walking. He also almost fell when attempting to stand with his feet together for field sobriety tests, leading the officer to stop the tests for safety.
Davis was arrested and placed in hand restraints. He initially stated he would take a blood test when read the implied consent request for a breath test, and later confirmed he would take the blood test when read again for blood.
EMS, which had been requested due to reports of Davis falling in the parking lot prior to police arrival, attempted a blood draw in the ambulance, but it was unsuccessful due to a malfunctioning tube. Paramedic Jessica Bryant later successfully performed the state blood draw at the Atoka County EMS station.
Davis was then transported to the Atoka County Jail and booked without incident for actual physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated.
