(Sioux Center Police Car - KIWA Staff Photo)Sioux Center, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — A Sioux Center man is facing a felony drunken driving charge following a traffic stop Tuesday night.
According to court documents, Sioux Center police stopped 41-year-old Hector Hernandez Martinez at the intersection of Seventh Avenue Northwest and Seventh Street Northwest at about 9:30 p.m.
An officer alleges Hernandez Martinez was driving west on Seventh Street Northwest when his vehicle swerved within its lane, repeatedly crossed the centerline, and accelerated erratically from stop signs. The officer also reported observing a cracked windshield.
The criminal complaint states the officer detected a strong odor of alcohol and cologne coming from the vehicle and observed a case of beer in the back seat. Police allege Hernandez Martinez attempted to spray himself with cologne in an effort to conceal the odor of alcohol.
According to the complaint, Hernandez Martinez displayed bloodshot eyes and difficulty maintaining his balance. Police say he admitted consuming about seven beers prior to driving, showed signs of impairment during field sobriety testing, and registered a preliminary breath test result of .135.
The officer also alleged that Hernandez Martinez was driving while his Iowa driving privileges were suspended and that his vehicle did not have a required ignition interlock device installed.
Hernandez Martinez has been cited on charges of third-offense operating while intoxicated, a Class D felony, driving under suspension, operating without a required ignition interlock device, and contempt for failure to install an ignition interlock device.
The complaint lists prior OWI convictions in Sioux County in December 2017 and Woodbury County in April 2020.
At last report, Hernandez Martinez was being held in the Sioux County Jail on a $5,600 cash or surety bond.
