Tulsa World: Dewey man leads police on high-speed chase

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Dewey man leads police on high-speed chase

Ronald Joseph Watts, 21

By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent
Published: 11/30/2009 12:53 PM
Last Modified: 11/30/2009 2:34 PM

BARTLESVILLE — A Dewey man with a history of drunk driving is behind bars in the Washington County jail after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car Sunday through city neighborhoods and county roads.

Ronald Joseph Watts, 21, was booked into county jail on numerous complaints after his run from police, which began around 12:50 a.m. when patrol officers saw him get into a 1994 Mercury Cougar that had been reported stolen from Caney, Kan.

“Mr. Watts driving was very erratic and he crossed into oncoming traffic several times,” an affidavit stated.

Officers Bryan Ballard and Jim Lay pursued Watts in a chase in which he allegedly ran two red lights and drove 80-90 mph south of Bartlesville.

South of the city, Watts made an abrupt turn into the parking lot of a State Highway Department facility, heading through the parking lot.

However, when he attempted to turn, the Mercury instead drove down an embankment, which caused the Cougar’s airbags to activate. As the car rolled into the road, Watts jumped out landing on his knees while the vehicle continued moving forward and crashed into a tree.

Police handcuffed Watts and placed him into custody, though he was “very uncooperative” and was cussing officers and attempting to kick them, the affidavit stated. Watts had very slurred speech, a strong odor of alcohol on him and had trouble standing on his own, the affidavit stated. He refused to take any tests to evaluate the amount of alcohol in his system.

Charges against Watts are pending with Washington County District Attorney’s Office. Special Judge Kyra Williams set bond at $25,000.

The court documents show Watts is being held for several complaints including possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to stop at a red light and a stop sign, eluding police, driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving.

Watts’ arrest comes on the heels of previous convictions in Washington County District Court. In November 2008, Watts plead guilty to driving under the influence, driving while license is suspended, transporting an open container and failure to stop at a stop sign.

As a result of the charges a year ago, Watts received a one-year suspended jail term, seven days to serve in the county lock-up, $960 in fines and a requirement that he receive a drug and alcohol evaluation, follow any recommended treatment plan and attend DUI school.

In July, Watts returned to court with charges of obstructing an officer and driving while his license is suspended. He was fined $300 and given a 20-day jail sentence.

By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent

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	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (11/30/2009 1:21:22 PM) Maybe if they do NOT take it so easy on him this time, he might learn a thing or two about right and wrong?
	Report Comment nuffsaid, Tulsa (11/30/2009 2:00:55 PM) This guy is a total and complete loser. 21 yr old and his life is a complete mess.
	Report Comment slingshot, (11/30/2009 2:01:31 PM) Someone should ask Julie DelCour how that community sentencing and not locking up “non-violent” offenders is working up north in Washington county. I guess we were “…just mad at…” this kid. So what about this time, is he “dangerous” yet or are we still “…just mad at…” him? I suppose we could just wait until he kills someone and then decide if he is dangerous or if we are still just mad at him. Most of all, I would like her to explain why the community sentencing didn’t work.
	Report Comment FRODO LIVES, Golden, MO (11/30/2009 2:03:16 PM) Wishful thinking fandk, Reality is who and how many will he evently kill oneday when he gets out.
	Report Comment No Way!!!, (11/30/2009 2:29:23 PM) Wow...he already has a history of drunk driving and he's only 21? Based on his past and the chances he's squandered, somebody better lock him up for good because he WILL end up killing someone at the rate he's going.
	Report Comment Bl. Collar, (11/30/2009 3:21:34 PM) Prison or Marine boot camp. One screw up in boot, back to Prison!
	Report Comment spacecase, (11/30/2009 4:21:00 PM) second offense should be minimum 20 years inside prison.he obviously doesnt have the ability to be a law abaiding contributing member of society.all drunk drivers should get 20 years minimum prison sentence on thier second offense.i do not mean probation i mean inside!!
	Report Comment William42, Broken Arrow (11/30/2009 4:50:54 PM) And only a $25,000 bond? This maniac could be out on the streets again before nightfall.
	Report Comment Charley, (11/30/2009 5:13:09 PM) They'll probably spank him & set him free... The maniac that hit me, had been arrested 19 times before he took me out. 4 DUIs, 4 Driving w/o Insurance, 5 Driving w/o a License & one Burglary w/assault & battery included & several other crimes thrown in.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/30/2009 6:10:18 PM) This guy is what we call a class A loser. He just needs some tough love counseling. Ten years might be enough this go round.
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (11/30/2009 6:33:01 PM) OK BIcaller he's probably not going to be determined to be fit for service Probably has lead poisoning.
	Report Comment sisterlove, wann (11/30/2009 6:45:25 PM) PRISON- NOT THE CURE FOR ALCOHOLISM.THE YOUNG MAN NEEDS TREATMENT. 20 YRS IN PRISON ISNT GOING TO HELP THEM WHEN THEY GET OUT THEY'RE STILL ALCOHOLICS IT DOESNT JUST GO AWAY WHEN TIME IS SERVED.
	Report Comment DBJohn, Tulsa (11/30/2009 6:50:49 PM) I can believe there are not any comments about why the police shouldn't have chased him.
	Report Comment T.B'Ville, Bruins (11/30/2009 6:52:26 PM) Lock down treatment facility, then prison.
	Report Comment DaBirdman, (11/30/2009 7:55:44 PM) SistaLove, your cap lock is on! Rehab first, and they some "time" to think about how an adult should act upon relaese maybe?
	Report Comment sisterlove, wann (11/30/2009 8:00:33 PM) Alcoholism is an addiction even at 21. Lets put everyone with an addiction "losers" as some "misinformed" people have chosen to call them, behind bars until the good ol' trusty state department of corrections squeezes the alcoholism out of them. POOF rehabilitated and cured!!!!!! Great plan!!!! Look at the statistics on repeat offenders. D.O.C. is not treatment,its punishment.
	Report Comment droopy, wagoner (11/30/2009 8:18:39 PM) SL- Looks like you are the only one talking about treatment, this guy deserves punishment.
	Report Comment DaBirdman, (11/30/2009 8:20:39 PM) OOOpps I Stevie Wondered the keyboard---I meant to type "release"
	Report Comment sisterlove, wann (11/30/2009 8:21:25 PM) Punishment/prison is inevitable on the charges racked up, but 10 to 20 yrs in prison isnt fixing anything. Its just prolonging the inevitable of more alcohol related charges after time served if treatment isnt included somewhere in the punishment.
	Report Comment bear132, (11/30/2009 8:29:29 PM) Come on judge - $25,000 bond!!! With his history should be at least $500,000.
	Report Comment sisterlove, wann (11/30/2009 8:30:42 PM) If this were your son, brother, or even father wouldnt you want the problem/disease/addiction to get treated or rather just hide the problem behind bars and let someone else (maybe one your kids)20 yrs from now deal with him when he gets out of prison still an alcoholic on a drinking binge making up for 20 yrs he missed out on. Makes no sense!!!!
	Report Comment sisterlove, wann (11/30/2009 8:42:19 PM) Let's make the bond 1,000,000 and keep in him in Washington county jail,think of all the treatment he'll get in there lmao. Once again lets hide the problem from the world instead of treat it. If he's in the county on a million dollar bond or in prison for 20 yrs all i'm saying is without treatment he'll still be an alcoholic when he gets out.Have a great day.
	Report Comment fredsdad, Tulsa, OK (11/30/2009 9:39:00 PM) The kid is obviously alcoholic/addict. He is an excellent candidate for drug court, which is no slap on the wrist. It is expensive and tough and takes no excuses, but it will expose him to enough information that he will understand his condition, understand that the condition won't change, and maybe, just maybe, learn how not to drink and drug. It is cheaper than prison, and offers a better than even chance that the kid will become a tax payer instead of a tax recipient.
	Report Comment teacherlady, (12/1/2009 3:09:37 PM) Obviously this 21 year old "man" has problems. When I was 21, half the guys I knew were drunk, college, moronic, frat boys who got off easy just because of who they were (like a certain Bartlesville cop who got caught with drugs not even a couple of months ago and just got a slap on the wrist). Just because he obviously has a drinking problem he's the next BTK killer. This boy needs help and throwing him into prison is not going to show him how to or give him the proper skills necessary to function in society.
	Report Comment spacecase, (12/1/2009 4:56:00 PM) to sisterlove..... yes i would send a relative to prison for a second dui offense...didnt learn the first time to go to aa or someother type of help did he? maybe enforced sobriety of 20 years in prison will help him pull his head out of his butt...also they do have aa in prison.they actually used to get time off thier sentence for completing so many hours of counseling...so look crap up before you state the obvious bleeding heart bs!!!

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