Driver of Stolen Van Involved in Crash Pleads Guilty to DUI and Evading Arrest

September 13, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The driver of a stolen van who led Smithville Police on a short pursuit before crashing the vehicle in January was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday

34 year old Michael Brandon Colwell entered a plea to charges of driving under the influence and evading arrest. He received a sentence of six years on the evading charge but was granted TDOC probation after serving 281 days in the DeKalb County Jail. His sentence for the DUI is 11 months and 29 days to serve 48 hours in jail. He was fined $350 and will lose his license. Colwell must also attend an alcohol safety school. The sentences will run concurrently as one six year term and concurrently with a Warren County case against him. He was given jail credit of 251 days.

The incident occurred at around 9:32 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2.

According to the police report and arrest warrant, Sergeant Travis Bryant of the Smithville Police Department attempted to stop a white Nissan Quest van for speeding 53 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour zone. “I attempted to stop the van for a traffic violation. I did observe the van increase its initial speed after I initiated both lights and sirens on my marked patrol vehicle. The vehicle did not stop and continued to flee until the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed at the intersection of Dearman Street and Bright Hill Road. The driver, Colwell was arrested without incident.

“Colwell was found to be unsteady on his feet and he had slurred speech. Colwell stated he had drank a lot of alcohol. Colwell had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and person. Due to the circumstances of the stop, field sobriety was not administered,” according to the complaint.

During the crash investigation, police learned that the van was stolen.

“Colwell said he took the van without consent or knowledge of the owner. The owner discovered her vehicle missing and notified law enforcement of the theft on January 3 at 9:45 a.m. The van was crashed when Colwell attempted to flee from law enforcement on January 2. The vehicle was recovered with major damage. The value of the van is estimated at $5,000,” according to the complaint

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