23-year-old Spencer Graves was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, failure to obey traffic officer, and refusing to submit to Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) test after leading officers in a slow chase that ended in him rear-ending a trolley car, per report.
On November 14th, Organized Crime Unit Detective Smith was on patrol in the area of South Main Street and Peabody Avenue when he observed Spencer Graves in a white 2006 GMC Sierra driving north on the trolley tracks and street, which was actively occupied by pedestrians. He pulled up behind the vehicle on the tracks and told him through his Public Address (PA) system “You are an unauthorized vehicle on the trolley tracks. Please turn left or right onto the next street” while at the stoplight at South Main Street and Gayoso Avenue. Spencer reportedly continued as he was, refusing Detective Smith’s request.
Detective Smith then attempted to stop the vehicle at the stop light at South Main Street and Union Avenue using his blue lights and sirens while advising dispatch and activating his Body Worn Camera. As he continued to give commands through his PA system, Spencer reportedly ran the stoplight and continued at a speed of 10-15 miles per hour, almost rear-ending the trolley in front of him.
Per the affidavit, an additional police vehicle driving south attempted to stop Spencer’s vehicle, but he ended up going around the unit. The two units then put their brakes on to keep other drivers and pedestrians at a safe distance from Spencer as he reportedly struck the back of the trolley. It was at this point that the officers pulled up to him as he attempted to flee from the driver’s seat. He was then taken into custody, where it appeared that he was under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance. It was reported that his eyes were glazed, he was incoherent, unaware of his surroundings, and stumbling his words.
Spencer Graves was charged with disregarding a red light, driving with a suspended license, driving under the influence, violation of financial law, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, failure to obey the traffic officer, and refusing to submit to BAC test. He was later released on a $2,000 bond
