A routine patrol by an Atoka Police officer on May 28, 2025, led to the arrest of a man on multiple charges, including driving while impaired.
At approximately 7:37 AM, Officer Zachary Rice was on patrol traveling eastbound on Liberty Road when he observed a dark blue Infiniti QX60 exhibit highly erratic driving behavior.
The vehicle was seen entering Liberty Road from Hickory Street, immediately merging into the westbound lane while eastbound, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with approaching traffic that was forced to brake.
Officer Rice initially decided to delay the stop until the road widened near Spring Road for safety. However, just east of Spring Road, the Infiniti again veered completely into the westbound lane before abruptly steering back into the eastbound lane. At this point, Officer Rice activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop.
The vehicle pulled over on the Sandy Creek Bridge, located between Spring Road and U.S. 69. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Robert William Scott Nelson, 30, Officer Rice immediately noted several signs of impairment.
Nelson's speech was thick, slurred, and lethargic, and his eyes appeared watery. When asked for his driver's license, Nelson stated he had a valid Oklahoma license but did not have it on his person.
Officer Rice reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol emanating from both the vehicle's interior and Nelson's breath. When questioned, Nelson denied consuming any alcohol, claiming it had been three days since he last drank. However, he became visibly nervous when informed that field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test would be conducted.
Officer Rice then requested assistance from Master Patrol Officer Cheyenne Gilbert, who has extensive training in impaired driving investigations. MPO Gilbert arrived quickly and, after observing Nelson and confirming suspicions, asked him to exit the vehicle for field sobriety tests.
It was at this point that Nelson admitted to consuming alcohol, stating he knew he was under the influence and expected to be arrested. He confessed to drinking two 'Twisted Tea' beverages shortly before leaving his home.
Due to the location on Sandy Creek Bridge, MPO Gilbert conducted the field sobriety tests at the rear of the patrol vehicles, with Officer Rice providing traffic control. Following the tests, Robert Nelson was placed under arrest. Charges include Improper Lane Use, Leaving Direct Course of Travel, Transporting an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage, and Driving While Impaired.
During a subsequent vehicle inventory conducted by MPO Gilbert, an empty 12pack and five open, empty 12-ounce cans of Twisted Tea were discovered.
Nelson consented to a state blood test, which was administered at the Atoka County Medical Center using a sealed blood kit that will be submitted to the OSBI for official Blood Alcohol Content analysis.
Following the blood test, Nelson was transported to the Atoka County Jail.
