DUI arrest turns insulting for two Island County deputies

A 53-year-old Clinton man was arrested Feb. 13 for allegedly driving under the influence after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 525 in Clinton.

Arrested in connection with the alleged crime was William Appleby. According to the Island County Sheriff’s Office, Appleby was driving a yellow Minnesota Moline farm tractor pulling a non-registered farm trailer southbound on Highway 525 at the time of the 2 p.m. accident. Appleby had attempted to make a left turn into the Ken’s Korner Shopping Mall when his tractor was struck by a Jeep in the mall turn lane.

According to the Washington State Patrol Trooper Zach Casey, Appleby failed to yield and the driver of the Jeep was not able to stop to avoid hitting the tractor.

According to Trooper Casey, Robert Johnson, 62, of Bellevue was the driver of the Jeep. He and a passenger, Randi Farrell, also of Bellevue, were not injured.

According to Island County Sheriff Deputy Laura Price, the driver and passenger of the Jeep said Appleby had left the accident scene on foot and went to the grocery store. When he returned to the scene, Price said it was apparent to her and Deputy Ron Esparza that Appleby had been drinking.

“We detected he was under the influence of alcohol,” she said.

Price said in her incident report that Appleby stated he had three 16-ounce beers prior the incident. After performing and failing a number of field sobriety tests, Appleby refused a portable breath test.

After he was placed under arrest for driving under the influence, Price said Appleby became verbally abusive to her and Deputy Esparza. He allegedly also made threats of a sexual nature to the officers.

Seven dogs that had been riding on Appleby’s trailer were taken from the scene by an acquaintance of Appleby. Appleby was transported to the Island County Jail for a blood alcohol concentration test, and later refused to sign his citations.

Appleby received a criminal citation for driving under the influence and for operating a motor vehicle without a valid license or photo identification. He also received a citation for failing to yield to oncoming vehicles and a criminal citation for failing to sign his citations.

At the Island County Jail, Appleby was allegedly found to have a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit of .08.

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