Drunken man flees from police

Steven Todd Simpson, 23, of 1508 Cronic Town Road in Auburn, was traveling on Mount Moriah Road when he drove off the edge of the roadway. An officer travelling in the opposite direction witnessed the incident and turned around to follow Simpson. As the officer attempted to catch up, Simpson drove across the center line and then swerved back to the right side of the roadway again running off the pavement.

Simpson then began to accelerate in an effort to lose the officer. The officer estimated Simpson was traveling in excess of 80 miles per hour on Mount Moriah Road.
Despite the officer’s efforts to conduct a pullover, Simpson continued to ignore the officer and made an abrupt left turn onto Cronic Town Road. Simpson did not stop until he reached his home.

Simpson exited his vehicle and was immediately taken into custody. After placing Simpson in the patrol car, the officer noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage.

Simpson later admitted that he panicked when he realized the officer had turned around to follow him. Simpson said he ran from the police because he knew he had been drinking and was just trying to get home.

He was charged with obstruction, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, failure to stop at a stop sign and DUI less safe.

Other recent arrests made by Auburn Police include:

• Christopher Dallas Mason, 31, 341 Kilcrease Road, Auburn, family violence criminal trespass.

• Brandy Nicole Powell, 22, 861 Briscoe Mill Road, Bethlehem, VGCSA, possession of a drug related object and probation violation.

• Ronald Eugene Turner, 33, 265 Apalachee Church Road, Auburn, VGCSA and entering auto.

• Stephanie Leann Freeman, 19, 316 Carter Road, Auburn, outstanding warrant and driving in violation of permit restrictions.

• Autumn Cierra Harris, 19, 175 Ansley Lane, Athens, failure to appear.

• Carry Lee Watkins, 38, 359 Ashton Way, Winder, speeding, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and possession of drug related objects.