Deputies Force Impaired Driver Off Road

Franklin County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday forced a driver off the road and down a grassy embankment between Interstate 44 and the North Service Road following a short pursuit.

Deputies arrested Richard Cliver, 26, St. Louis. Cliver has ties to the Sullivan area. He was arrested for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and resisting arrest. Cliver is being held on a $15,000 bond.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton, deputies were dispatched to the parking lot of Pawn Mart in Sullivan for a suspicious person. The caller said Cliver was shirtless and parked in a vehicle on the lot, reportedly under the influence of drugs.

A deputy arrived on scene and located Cliver, who was sitting in the vehicle with the engine running. Cliver was reportedly sweating and could not control his erratic movements. Cliver allegedly admitted to using a “bad batch” of methamphetamine.

The deputy asked Cliver to step out of the vehicle, but he rolled up his window and drove off. He headed westbound on the North Service Road towards Sullivan and a pursuit began.

Cliver’s driving was erratic and he swerved at a patrol car. Due to the unsafe driving, suspected impairment and inclement weather, deputies made the decision to drive Cliver’s vehicle off the road. With the road clear, a deputy bumped him towards the embankment.

He was taken into custody without further incident. Drug paraphernalia was found in the vehicle.