A super drunk American guy was taken into police custody after causing a minor traffic incident in Phuket early this morning. Police said the man, identified as vacationing American Stephen Leonard, was on foot trying to flag down a vehicle to take him to the airport, before he obstructed traffic on the road and damaged several vehicles.
Tha Chatchai Police Lt. Thanom Thongpan said he received a call from a local at 5:30am reporting that a drunken foreigner was running around frantically in the northbound lanes of Thepkasattri Road smashing the windows of passing vehicles that were forced to stop when he walked into their paths.
He also stood in front of a truck, forcing the driver to stop in the middle of the road, blocking traffic and leaving only one lane open for motorists.
The incident happened in front of the Klua Muang Mai restaurant in Mai Khao, said police.
Responding to the call, Lt. Thanom arrived on the scene with fellow officers and approached a group of local residents who had restrained the intoxicated American man on the side of the road.
The man was named by police as Stephen Leonard, 38, an American from New York.
Police said they struggled to bring the uncooperative Leonard into custody before taking him to Tha Chatchai Police Station.
Police said added that a large Hino truck, driven by Wanlop Thongked, 36, was found with minor damage to its side, along with a damaged Toyota pickup truck, driven by Sakrin Saard, 30.
Lt. Thanom said that, according to Wanlop, the man came onto the road out of nowhere and blocked his vehicle. Wanlop said he slammed on his brakes suddenly, which destroyed the suspension and drive shaft of the truck.
The driver of the Toyota pickup, Sakrin, said he was heading north when the man jumped onto his vehicle, hitting the windshield, and threw an empty alcohol bottle, which smashed the window.
The officer said a third vehicle involved in the incident had left the scene by the time police arrived, but later reported to Tha Chatchai Police Station after dropping passengers at Phuket International Airport.
Police confirmed that the man was drunk and that the American Embassy had been notified of the incident.
Leonard paid a fine of THB200 and was ordered to pay for the damage he caused to the vehicles before being released from custody.
He was charged with public intoxication and damaging people’s property.
Story: The Phuket News
