The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge today against a Carthage man, who has been stopped for drunk driving four times in the past 6 1/2 months and five times in the past four years.
In addition to the misdemeanor DWI charge, Mark Anthony Hood, Jr. (DOB 2003), was charged with driving while revoked and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway.
From the probable cause statement:
On 02/05/2025, Ptl. Lane observed a blue Honda Accord bearing Missouri license plate JK2T0W, driving southwest on State Highway 96 near the intersection of 96 Highway and Esterly Dr., failing to drive on the right side ofthe road.
Ptl. Lane observed the Honda Accord cross the white line to the right with both passenger side tires multiple times striking the rumble strips. Then cross the center line with both driver side tires.
Ptl. Lane followed the vehicle until it pulled over in the 400-block of Olive St., parking on the right side ofthe road with both passenger side tires on the sidewalk. Sgt. Salinas arrived on scene first and contacted the driver who was identified as Mark Hood.
Sgt. Salinas advised while speaking to Hood his speech was slurred, and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. I arrived on scene to assist. I detected a strong odor of intoxicants emitting from the interior ofthe vehicle. I observed several beer cans and a bottle of Vodka on the passenger floorboard in plain view.
I requested Hood to submit to Standardized Field Sobriety test, and he refused. I detected a strong odor of intoxicants emitting from Hood’s person. I advised Hood he was under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.
I requested Hood to submit to a chemical test of his breath. Hood agreed to provide the breath sample. Hood provided a breath sample and registered a BAC of 0.270%. I advised Hood of his rights per Miranda. Hood replied that he understood his rights per Miranda.
Hood advised he had been drinking. Hood replied he drank out the bottle, did not measure it, and had four to six shots at most. Hood stated he was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.
A criminal history check of Hood revealed he had been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated on 07/01/2021, 07/15/2024, 11/24/2024, and 12/30/2024, making this case his fifth Driving While Intoxicated charge. Hood had a Missouri driving status as Revoked, Active Chemical Revocation, effective date of 12/09/2024 and an eligible reinstatement date of 12/09/2025.
Jasper County Circuit Court records indicate Hood was arrested for DWI following traffic stops by the Joplin, Webb City and Carthage police departments.
Bond for Hood was set at $750 cash or $5,000 surety.
The case was investigated by the Carthage Police Department.
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
