A drunk driver was arrested for DUI, driving on a revoked license, and impersonating a police officer after the sheriff saw him last week driving at night with flashing blue lights on the dashboard of his car.
47 year old Richard Lee Hindsley, Jr. of Wade Street, Smithville, is charged with a first offense of driving under the influence and a fourth offense of driving on a revoked license. He was further issued citations for unlawfully displaying blue flashing lights, criminal impersonation of a police officer, and violation of the implied consent law. Although Hindsley refused a blood test, the sheriff obtained a search warrant for a forced blood draw on him. Hindsley’s bond is $7,500 and he will be in court April 10. Hindsley is also wanted in Wilson County on a separate charge.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that he and a drug detective were on Highway 56 south Tuesday night, March 11 when they spotted a vehicle coming down the road with a flashing blue light on the dashboard. The car was southbound on Highway 56 and turned right onto the Old Blue Springs Road. ” I saw it was not a patrol car so I got in behind the vehicle and pulled it over,” said Sheriff Ray. “It pulled into a driveway on the Old Blue Springs Road. I got out and noticed the driver, Hindsley was under the influence of an intoxicant. He had an odor of alcohol on him. Hindsley was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. Asked why he had a blue light, Hindsley said he was chasing a car, trying to pull it over. Sheriff Ray said Hindsley submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. A computer check revealed that Hindsley’s driver’s license were revoked for a 1988 DUI in Wilson County. This was his fourth offense for driving on a revoked license. Hindsley also wore clothing that made him appear to be a police officer including a black ball cap bearing initials, boots like law enforcement officers wear, and he was dressed in black.
Hindsley was placed under arrest and his blue light was seized along with his boots, cap, and a laser that goes on a pistol.
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