Crime & Safety

Part 2: Clayton DWI Cases Reveal Weaving Vehicles, Apology

Nine people have faced a driving while intoxicated charge from the Clayton Police Department this year, court records state.

One vehicle repeatedly weaved back and forth along south Hanley Road in Clayton before police stopped it. Another fishtailed on Forsyth Boulevard, crossed a white center line and continued at a fast clip. A third took police on a trip from a major thoroughfare into a neighborhood and back again.

All three incidents share something in common: In each case, the driver faced a charge of driving while intoxicated.

The descriptions come from court documents filed with the . In all, court records show, Clayton police have pressed charges against nine people on suspicion of DWI this year.

The following case summaries have been compiled using documents compiled by Clayton police who responded to these incidents and appended to court filings.

CASE SUMMARY NO. 1: Michael A. Shocklee
Michael A. Shocklee, 26, was pulled over March 13 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and illegally parking in a taxi, limousine or bus stand. Shocklee was driving a gray Jeep Cherokee southbound on South Hanley Road. A police report filed in court records states the vehicle was observed heading toward the curb before it was corrected to the inside lane on three occasions.

The vehicle stopped for a red light at Hanley and Clayton Road, then proceeded when the light turned green despite the fact that the police had turned on their warning lights. The vehicle stopped near Antler Drive.

Two other passengers were in the vehicle with Shocklee, the report states.

"I asked M. Shocklee where he was coming from and he said his friend's birthday party," the report states. "While speaking with M. Shocklee, I noticed the strong odor commonly associated with alcoholic beverages emanating from the vehicle. I asked M. Shocklee if had been drinking. He initially said no and then he changed his answer to two drinks after additionally questioning. I observed an opened 30 pack of Bud Light cans on the floor of the backseat. The top layer of cans were no longer in the box of beer."

He failed all three sobriety tests administered by police and refused to provide a sample of his breath.

Under later questioning, the report states, Shocklee admitted being under the influence of alcohol and told police that he had consumed six or seven beers during visits to the St. Patrick's Day parade in St. Louis city and Bar Napoli in Clayton.

On Aug. 18, Shocklee was sentenced to a $200 fine for the DWI charge and a $400 fine for the parking violation.

CASE SUMMARY NO. 2: Daniel K. Baker
Daniel K. Baker, 26, was pulled over Jan. 6 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and illegally parking in a taxi, limousine or bus stand.

In a document included with his court filing, police said the black Mercedes CS550 in which he was driving stopped at North Meramec Avenue and Forsyth Boulevard in downtown Clayton, then accelerated quickly, which caused its tires to squeal. He turned east on Forsyth, and the vehicle fishtailed. It crossed from the left lane to the right lane and back again, then continued "at a high rate of speed."

Police activated emergency lights and stopped the vehicle where Forsyth meets South Central Avenue.

The driver was apologetic.

"''I know that was very stupid of me. I am very sorry officer,'" the document quotes Baker as saying. He handed over his driver's license and Visa credit card when police asked to see his ID and insurance card. Police detected alcohol on his breath and noticed Baker had bloodshot and watery eyes. He appeared confused and refused to provide a breath sample.

Police reviewed his record and found two previous convictions for driving under the influence, one of which had been amended to careless and imprudent driving, the document states. That meant Baker "no longer fit the criteria for a persistent offender," it states.

On Aug. 18, Baker was sentenced to 24 months of supervised probation for the DWI charge and a $1,000 fine for the parking violation.

CASE SUMMARY NO. 3: Richard S. Pauley
Richard S. Pauley, 51, was pulled over Feb. 12 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Police said the black Chevrolet Silverado in which he had been driving turned onto a side street from Big Bend Boulevard and then back again after they drove up behind him. He later was pulled over.

In police notes included with the court filing, the author wrote: "I have found it is common that intoxicated drivers attempt to elude the police by turning down side streets when the police pull behind them."

Pauley told police he was headed home after drinking five or six beers with friends at Tin Can in St. Louis city. When asked why he turned onto Southmoor, he told police he had seen them pulled over.

"'I will be honest, I got nervous, I had a few beers, I don't need any problems,'" the document quotes Pauley as saying.

He completed a horizontal-gaze sobriety test but couldn't perform other tests because of a broken right ankle. He struggled to recite the alphabet and didn't pass a test in which he had to count his fingers.

Pauley had no previous arrests or alcohol-related contacts with police. His brother took him home.

On Aug. 18, he was sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation.

Editor's note: Look for Part 3 of this series later this week.


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