Over 40 cans of air dusters were recovered from one of the vehicles involved
RAPID CITY, S.D.— The Rapid City Police Department responded to two incidents involving impaired drivers over the weekend, resulting in arrests for both individuals.
January 11: DUI and Hit-and-Run in Memorial Park
Around 1:20 a.m. on January 11, police were dispatched to the area of 5th Street and Omaha Street following a report of a vehicle crash. Officers discovered a damaged street sign within Memorial Park and located 36-year-old Christopher Gentry of Rapid City walking nearby.
While speaking with Gentry, officers noted slurred speech and the strong smell of alcohol. Footprints in the snow confirmed Gentry was the driver responsible for the crash. Police determined he was too impaired to safely operate a motor vehicle. Gentry was arrested for DUI (2nd offense), Careless Driving, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident and transported to the Pennington County Jail.
January 12: DUI Involving Air Duster on E. Stumer Road
At approximately 7:30 a.m. on January 12, officers discovered a crashed pickup truck in the area of 5th Street and E. Stumer Road. As police approached the driver’s seat, they observed the driver inhaling air duster from a can before passing out.
Despite multiple attempts to communicate, the driver—32-year-old Keeva Grass of Whitewood—attempted to flee by putting the truck in drive. The vehicle remained immobilized by snow and a street sign it had struck. Grass then put the vehicle in reverse, prompting the responding officer to pin the truck with their patrol car.
The officer ultimately broke the driver’s side window to remove Grass. She was arrested for DUI (3rd offense), Obstruction, No Proof of Insurance, and No Seatbelt. A search of the vehicle uncovered more than 40 cans of air duster. Grass was taken to the Pennington County Jail.
