A Keosauqua man is facing an aggravated misdemeanor charge after deputies found him passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle at a local cemetery Friday afternoon.
Mark Parrish, 52, has been charged with Operating While Under the Influence – 2nd Offense, an aggravated misdemeanor.
According to court documents, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possibly intoxicated person operating a motor vehicle in Keosauqua at approximately 12:47 p.m. on Friday, October 23rd. Deputies located the vehicle a short time later parked at Fellows Cemetery, where Parrish was found passed out in the driver’s seat with the keys in the ignition.
Court documents state Parrish showed signs of impairment and admitted to consuming alcohol and being “stoned.” He also admitted to being intoxicated. Deputies observed red, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and a heavy odor of alcohol on his breath.
Parrish performed one field sobriety test and failed, according to court documents. He agreed to a preliminary breath test, which came back over .08. He was placed in custody and transported to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, where he was read the implied consent advisory. Parrish agreed to provide a breath sample, which read .268.
Parrish has since posted a $2,000 surety bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 29th.
