Authorities: Sheriff's deputy arrested for DUI in patrol car

By Associated Press

For the AJC

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Authorities say a Lincoln County sheriff's deputy has been charged with driving under the influence while in his patrol car.

Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength says Charles Harwell was likely on prescription drugs when he was taken into custody near Augusta early Saturday morning.

Strength says Richmond County authorities received a call around 3:30 a.m. of an officer driving erratically on Bobby Jones Expressway. Strength says officers later found Harwell parked in his patrol car on the side of a highway.

Lincoln County is just north of Richmond County.

A listed phone number could not be found for Harwell.

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Information from: The Augusta Chronicle, http://www.augustachronicle.com