Published: July 13, 2007 08:26 am      

Two arrested in swampy New River Drive melee

Police: One wrecked into waist-deep mud; both attacked officers

Two men are in jail after one drunkenly crashed an SUV into a swamp and both attacked police officers, authorities said.

Emmett Noel Feijo, 22, of Beckley, was charged with DUI, obstructing a police officer, disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer, Beckley Police Cpl. R.E. Redden said. Daniel Lee Johnson, 21, of MacArthur, was charged with disorderly conduct, assault on a police officer, battery on a police officer and obstructing a police officer.

Both men were incarcerated at Southern Regional Jail.

Around 9 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to New River Drive because a shirtless man was reportedly on the side of the road, waving for help, Redden said. Redden said he and Sgt. Frankie Shelton arrived at the scene near Busy Bee’s Child Care Center and found the man, identified as Feijo. As soon as Feijo saw the officers, he put his hands behind his back.

Redden said he could immediately tell Feijo was highly intoxicated because of Feijo’s smell and actions.

“He said, ‘Arrest me for DUI. I just crashed my car,’” Redden said.

After Feijo first told Redden things that made no sense, Redden said he asked Feijo to simply tell him what happened, step-by-step. According to Feijo, he and two others had been drinking earlier in the evening. The two others left in Feijo’s vehicle, with Feijo’s permission. The friends later contacted Feijo — by unknown means — to tell him they wrecked on New River Drive. Feijo then took one of their vehicles, an Isuzu Rodeo, and drove it to New River Drive to help his friends.

“Apparently, somewhere along the line, he runs off the roadway, and the vehicle went into a swamp,” Redden said.

The swampy area, across from the day care, had waist-deep muck, Redden said. Feijo had managed to climb out. Police asked him if any other people were inside the vehicle, and although Feijo said there were not, police did not want to take his word because he was intoxicated. They also noticed two child safety seats inside.

Because Redden could not see inside the vehicle well enough due to window tinting, he said he had to break out windows with a baton to check for other occupants. The swamp area was checked as well. No one was found.

Emergency medical service personnel arrived at the scene, and both they and police tried to get Feijo to a hospital to be checked, Redden said. Feijo then became combative with EMS workers, but police calmed him down.

Then, Johnson showed up at the scene, Redden said. Apparently, Johnson was one of the two other men drinking with Feijo earlier, but police did not know if he was driving the other vehicle. Johnson was intoxicated as well.

At some point during the evening, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Sprague area of New River Drive because a man reported that his foot was run over, Redden said. Deputy Roger Bircham spoke to the alleged victim and brought the man, reportedly uninjured, to the scene. He identified Feijo as the man who hit him.

After Johnson showed up, Redden said, Feijo got out of an ambulance to talk with Johnson. The two then began talking about the incident. Police realized the pair had to be separated so they would not concoct a story together. When police tried to separate them, both became belligerent.

Feijo then “snapped,” and Redden said Feijo charged at him. Redden tackled Feijo and they both were on the ground, struggling. Bircham then shocked Feijo with his Taser while both Feijo and Redden were still on the ground. Feijo then became compliant, and police decided to have him taken straight to jail.

During this process, Redden said, his police radio, worth more than $1,000, was broken.

After Feijo was arrested, Johnson became irate — yelling and screaming, Redden said. Police then attempted to arrest Johnson for disorderly conduct. Johnson then grabbed Lt. Wes Bowden and spat on him. Johnson was taken to the ground and quickly handcuffed. Johnson was taken straight to Southern Regional Jail, as well.

The second wrecked vehicle involved, a Chevy S-10, was recovered on New River Drive around 10 p.m., Redden said. Later, police determined the Isuzu Rodeo was Feijo’s own vehicle, not a friend’s.

Police also located the man who drove the S-10, Redden said. He claimed he hydroplaned and crashed the truck and he was not intoxicated at the time.

Both Feijo and the S-10’s driver claimed they were alone when they wrecked, Redden said. Therefore, police could determine with whom Johnson was riding.

Neither vehicle was determined to be stolen, Redden said.

Feijo will likely face additional charges for allegedly running over the man’s foot on New River Drive.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com