Three arrested on mutiple DWI charges

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Jorge Castillo (Source: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)

Gerald Ryan (Source: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)

Tate Vander (Source: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)

CALCASIEU PARISH, LA (KPLC) - Deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office arrested three individuals on multiple DWI charges in separate incidents last week.

May 11:

A deputy responded to a claim that a man was sleeping in his vehicle at the intersection of La. 14 and 14th Street in Lake Charles, said Kim Myers, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. When the deputy spoke with driver, Gerald D. Ryan, 46, of Iowa, Ryan had trouble keeping his eyes open. Ryan told the deputy he had not been drinking, but had taken pain pills. Ryan also had slurred speech and an unsteady balance.

Ryan performed poorly on a field sobriety test and refused to take a breathalyzer test.

While Ryan was in the holding cell he began reaching in his sock and removed a clear plastic bag containing what is believed to be synthetic marijuana, Myers said.

Ryan, who has two prior DWI arrests, was booked into Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with DWI 3rd, stopping or parking in roadway prohibited, possession of synthetic marijuana, and driving under suspension for prior DWI, Myers said. His $8,000 bond was set by Judge Ron Ware.

May 12:

Sheriff deputies responded to an accident involving two cars at the intersection of Elliott and Lafanette Roads in Lake Charles, Myers said. The driver of one car told deputies she was traveling north on Elliott Road when Jorge L. Castillo, 32, of Lake Charles, the driver of the other car, swerved into her lane and caused a head-on collision. The collision caused both cars go into the ditch. The victim was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

When deputies spoke with Castillo, they detected an odor of alcohol emitting from his breath as well as slurred speech and unsteady balance, Myers said. Castillo told deputies that he did not want to speak with them. Castillo appeared to have been sleeping. Castillo refused to submit to standard field sobriety testing.

Deputies arrested Castillo and took him to a local hospital to have his blood drawn for a toxicology report, which he refused, Myers said. He was then transported to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office for a breath intoxilyzer test, which he also refused.

Castillo, who has four prior DWI arrests, was booked into Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with DWI 5th refusal, driving left of center, and driving under suspension for prior DWI, Myers said. His $32,500 bond was set by Judge Ron Ware. Castillo was later released the same day.

May 12:

Sheriff's deputies pulled over Tate Vander, 35, of Keithville, at Hollis Road in Westlake, after he was seen was driving carelessly, Myers said. Deputies detected an odor of alcohol emitting from his breath as well as slurred speech. Vander had four Soma pills, for which he could not produce a prescription, as well as an open container of beer in plain view inside the truck.

Vander told deputies that he was "buzzed" and admitted that he had been drinking alcohol and taking medication, Myers said. Vander had an interlock device notification on his current driver's license, but said he took it off his truck. Vander was unable to follow directions, control his balance and complete standard field sobriety testing. An ambulance had to be called to transport Vander to a local hospital to check on his well-being. Upon arrival at a local hospital, Vander allowed blood to be drawn for a toxicology report, but refused medical treatment.

Vander, who has three prior DWI arrests, was arrested and booked into Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with DWI 4th, reckless operation, possession of illegal drugs, and open container, Myers said. His $23,500 bond was set by Judge Ron Ware. Vander was later released the next day.