A man allegedly driving drunk on the wrong side of the road was stopped early Thursday, thanks in part to an alert driver.
Two Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies were traveling westbound on Ga. 92 near Bells Ferry Road when they saw a vehicle cross over the concrete median and drive the wrong way, according to Lt. Jay Baker.
The wrong-way driver nearly struck the deputies, who crossed into the eastbound lanes in an attempt to head-off the vehicle before it struck other vehicles, Baker said. That’s when an alert wrecker driver did his part to help stop the suspect.
Billy Smith, of Gwinnett County, was eastbound on Ga. 92 near Wabash Trail when he saw the wrong-way driver, according to police. Smith crossed the median, pulling his wrecker in front of the suspect’s vehicle, forcing the suspect to stop, Baker said.
Deputies were able to arrest the alleged wrong-way driver, identified as William Scott Bentley, 54, of Cartersville. No one was injured.
Bentley was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road and hit and run, Baker said. He was in custody Thursday afternoon at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, where he was being held on $4,371 bond.
Although appreciative of Smith’s help, deputies advise against others attempting the same thing in a similar situation, Baker said.
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