BEATRICE – One of the witnesses to an accident last night in north Beatrice apparently collared the driver, who fled from the scene of the incident in the eleven-hundred block of North Sixth.

Beatrice Police Sergeant Daniel Moss says 22-year-old Jarod Peden, of Beatrice was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs, reckless driving and obstructing a police officer.

Moss says Peden’s car was southbound on Sixth at around 9:50 p.m., when it struck a utility pole next to the curb.  The car then spun 180-degrees, hitting a retaining wall before flipping onto its top.  

Peden remained at the scene as police arrived, but then later fled on foot.  Moss said the driver jumped a retaining wall near the Dairy Queen Restaurant and ran between homes.   He was caught by a witness to the accident, in a front yard of a home along North 7th Street.  Peden was observed by a police officer to have extremely slurred speech.

Peden was taken to Beatrice Community Hospital to be checked over, and then was arrested.  According to police, Peden allegedly had taken pills and smoked marijuana before driving….and told officers several times he did not remember why he was in the hospital.

Moss said video from the Dairy Queen Restaurant gave police a look at the car which appeared to be traveling around the speed limit, at the time of the wreck.  Police said the wreck was also witnessed by at least four persons.

Police said the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, owned by another person, was totaled.  There was a $500 loss of the utility pole owned by Windstream and $200 damage to a City of Beatrice LED streetlight.  There was $50 damage to the retaining wall.