Ward arrested for DUI in Marshall County

Call to 911 led to arrest Saturday

By Misti Strader
Tribune-Courier News Editor
mstrader@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – Marshall County Commonwealth Attorney Michael D. Ward, 57, of Benton, was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday.

According to police reports, Marshall County 911 received a call reporting a possible impaired driver. The caller stated that they had witnessed a vehicle “driving side to side on the roadway.”

Marshall County Deputies Robert Johnson and Mark Balentine responded and made contact with the vehicle in the vicinity of Serenity Shores.

When officers arrived on scene, they located Ward “holding himself up on the vehicle in question.” Upon making contact, a DUI investigation was conducted.

The citation issued noted that Ward was “unsteady on his feet” and that officers detected a strong odor of alcohol when he was approached.

Ward reportedly told officers he had “drank a ton” of alcohol. Parked in the driveway of his residence, officers asked what time he had gotten home, to which he replied, “just now.”

Ward was asked to submit to sobriety tests; however, he responded by saying that he could not perform the tests, therefore failing them.

While no breath or urine samples were collected, blood samples are currently being tested for blood-alcohol levels.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Ward was arrested and charged with operation of a motor vehicle under the influence (first offense).

Ward was lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center, and a bond of $1,000 surety was set. He bonded out later that night.

According to Kentucky State Statute, if convicted of the DUI charge, Ward could have to pay up to a $500 fine and/or spend 30 days in jail. His driver’s license may also be subject to suspension for a period of 30 to 120 days.

Ward returned to work Monday morning where he was back in court prosecuting cases. He made headlines last year when he took a leave of absence to reportedly “deal with medical issues.”