Lake Charles, LA –
Early this morning at approximately 1:30 a.m., Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the area near Lincoln Road and Gulf Highway in Lake Charles in reference to a 911 call about a vehicle driving all over the roadway.
Deputies located the vehicle traveling with no headlights on Airhart Road and conducted a traffic stop. When deputies made contact with the driver, Stephen A. Snider, 40, Lake Charles, they could smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from his breath and person. Deputies also observed him to have unsteady balance and slurred speech. While speaking with deputies Snider stated he was coming from a local bar where he had been drinking inside of his vehicle prior to leaving. Deputies later learned Snider was driving under suspension and further investigation revealed the license plate on the vehicle he was driving did not match the registration.
Snider, who has three prior DWI convictions within the past 10 years and eight prior convictions since 2001, refused standard field sobriety testing. He was placed under arrest and asked to consent to a breath intoxilyzer test; which he also refused. Deputies obtained a warrant to have his blood drawn at which time he was transported to a local hospital.
After hospital personnel collected the blood sample Snider was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with DWI 4th; operating a vehicle while under suspension; lighted lamps required; and violations of registration provisions. Judge Tony Fazzio set his bond at $67,700 with special conditions being he cannot operate a vehicle without an ignition interlock device, he must wear an alcohol detecting ankle bracelet, must be subject to random drug screenings, cannot commit any other crimes; no contact with known drug users or convicted felons; no release unless cleared by Probation & Parole; must adhere to a curfew; and no driving without a valid license.
CPSO Deputy Tyler Moses is the arresting deputy on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.