Pierce County prosecutors have charged a suspected drunken driver who has prior DUI convictions, saying he drove through a yard in Steilacoom early Sunday, then tried to assault the homeowner when confronted.
William James Hughes Jr., 42, was charged Monday with fourth-degree assault, felony driving under the influence, third-degree driving on a suspended license, resisting arrest and failure to have an ignition interlock device.
Court records indicate he has at least four prior DUIs.
Police were called about 2:20 a.m. Sunday to a house in the 2400 block of Worthington Street by a woman who said a drunken driver had torn up her yard and was chasing her husband and trying to punch him.
The responding officer spotted a car trying to drive down a street that was closed for construction. The officer pulled the car over and told the driver, later identified as Hughes, to get out.
According to charging papers:
Hughes, who smelled of alcohol and was slurring his speech while cursing at the officer, refused. After a brief struggle, the officer handcuffed Hughes.
The homeowner told police he had awakened to find Hughes revving his car’s engine and spinning its tires in the yard. The homeowner suggested Hughes sleep it off, but he continued driving across the yard.
When the homeowner yelled to his wife to call 911, Hughes leapt from his car and began chasing the homeowner, “throwing wild punches.”
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
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