Two Intoxilyzer 8000 tests performed on former Mississippi State University quarterback Dak Prescott early Saturday failed to measure his breath alcohol level following his arrest for driving under the influence, according to documents obtained by The Dispatch.
The Starkville Police Department’s testing of Prescott’s alcohol level began approximately 45 minutes after he was pulled over about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. The first test was administered at 1:13 a.m. A follow-up was initiated at 1:47 a.m., court records state.
The first test resulted in an invalid sample, and the second test produced an “insufficient sample,” according to documents obtained by The Dispatch.
An officer’s statement located in a form sent to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety noted a chemical breath test refusal. Also, the uniform traffic ticket issued to Prescott shows the officer noted Prescott was allegedly “under the influence of intoxicating liquor” and wrote what appears to be an abbreviation for “refusal” where alcohol testing results would normally be written.
A call to SPD for clarity on the arrest and testing went unreturned Monday.
It is unknown if the Intoxilyzer 8000 did not perform correctly, or if Prescott did not comply fully with instructions, or if he definitively refused further testing.
Refusing to take a breath test results in a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
A SPD incident report states Prescott, 22, was pulled over on University Drive, near the road’s intersections with Fellowship and Hartness streets, while driving a 2016 Cadillac Escalade at 12:31 a.m. Saturday.
The narrative report provided by SPD does not state what instigated the traffic stop, but Prescott was charged with speeding and DUI first, both misdemeanors.
He was booked, processed and released on a surety bond “in good condition and without incident,” the report states.
The bond for the speeding charge was set at $178, while the DUI first bond was listed at $1,111.
His court date, documents show, was set for 2 p.m. April 11 at Starkville Municipal Court.
Following his arrest, Prescott released a statement in which he took “complete responsibility for (his) actions.”
“I’m very remorseful for my misjudgment. I want to apologize to my true supporters, my family, Mississippi State University, the NFL and the kids who look up to me,” his statement read. “I won’t ask for forgiveness; however, I’ll show the true man I am and exhibit my character through my actions and behavior moving forward.”
During his college career, Prescott broke every passing record at MSU and owns 38 school records (15 career, 15 single-season and eight single-game). He participated in MSU’s pro day Thursday and was projected to be drafted anywhere between the second and fourth rounds of next month’s NFL draft prior to the incident.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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