By Philip Weiss -
CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -
A Charleston police officer has
been placed on administrative leave after blowing a .19 on a breathalyzer
following a wreck early Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Officer Jovon Bonneau, 28, was
arrested by North Charleston police Sunday around 2:42 a.m. and charged with
driving under the influence.
According to an incident
report, Bonneau crashed his Dodge Ram pickup truck into the back of a Toyota
Corolla near the intersection of Ashley Phosphate Road and Mazyck Road.
A North Charleston officer who
was working off-duty at a nearby restaurant responded to the scene, along with
the North Charleston Fire Department and EMS. The two occupants inside the
Toyota were transported to a hospital.
The report states a strong odor
of alcohol was coming from Bonneau, and he was swaying side to side. Officials
say Bonneau admitted to having "a few" drinks at a nearby bar, but
then clarified he only had two drinks.
Officials say Bonneau was given
a field sobriety test, which he had trouble completing and failed to follow
rules. He was then placed under arrest for driving under the influence.
According to the report, a
breathalyzer test revealed Bonneau had a blood alcohol concentration level of
.19.
The legal limit in South
Carolina is .08.
Bonneau was taken to an emergency
room for evaluation. Once cleared, he was booked at the Charleston Count
Detention Center.
CPD spokesperson Charles
Francis says Bonneau, who has been with the department since June 2010, was off
duty and in his personal vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Bonneau has been placed on
administrative leave without pay, according to Francis.
While performing an inventory
on the Toyota, police say a pack of cigarettes containing 20 small bags of
methamphetamine weighing approximately 6.7 grams was located in the vehicle's
glove box. The cigarette box was searched due to a plastic bag sticking out
from its opening.
The driver of the Toyota,
32-year-old Lashaun White, was arrested at the hospital and charged with
possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.