FROM POLICE CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
Top Photo: Richard B. Roberson, of Deatsville, was charged with DUI after a two-vehicle accident on Cobbs Ford Road in Millbrook Wednesday. (Drivers License Photo)
On October 27, 2021, Millbrook Police Department responded to the 3000 block of Cobbs Ford Road with regard to a two-vehicle traffic collision reported at that location. Upon arrival officers observed a 2004 Infiniti G35 sedan, which was engulfed in flames. Officers also observed a Chevrolet minivan, overturned in a near-by ditch.
Once officers ascertained both drivers were out of their vehicles and safe, a traffic investigation was conducted. Witnesses stated that the Infiniti had been traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed, ran off onto the shoulder of the roadway, overcorrected, at which point the vehicle lost control, veering into oncoming traffic and striking the Chevrolet minivan, which came to rest in the adjacent ditch overturned. Millbrook paramedics responded to the scene.
The driver of the sedan refused medical treatment. The driver of the Chevrolet minivan was treated at the scene and later transported to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation. The second driver’s injuries did not appear to be life threatening.
While conducting their investigation, officers detected an odor of alcoholic beverage about the other driver’s breath and person. The driver, later identified as Richard B. Roberson, a 29-year-old Deatsville resident, was given a series of Standard Field Sobriety Test. After the testing was completed and based upon their observations, officers had probable cause to believe that Roberson was impaired and should not have been operating a motor vehicle.
Roberson was placed under arrest, being charged with Driving Under the Influence (Alcoholic Beverage). Mr. Roberson was transported to the Millbrook Police Department for processing. He was later transported to the Elmore County Jail, where he remained until being released to be evaluated for possible injuries from the earlier collision.
We are extremely fortunate that no one was seriously injured or killed as a result of this traffic collision. Witnesses advised investigating officers that the driver of the sedan was driving at excessive speeds prior to running off the shoulder of the roadway, overcorrecting and losing control, ultimately striking another vehicle and catching fire. We received numerous calls from citizens, who thought someone may have perished in the collision. I have had several citizens ask me about this wreck after it happened, so it was obviously a serious collision.
