Union County: A UTV driver finds himself in jail for OWI and other charges

Christopher E. Baker, 41, of Creston, was taken into custody 10:41 p.m. March 27, at his residence on the charges of OWI, third or subsequent offense; driving while license denied or revoked and operating without an interlock device. He was additionally cited for the charges of no vehicle insurance, registration and driving on the wrong side of the road.

According to a Union County report, at approximately 10:27 p.m. a 2018 Yamaha UTV was observed stopped on Osage Street. The UTV then pulled into a residence in the 1200 block of Osage and two individuals got out. The passenger took off running and the driver, later identified as Baker, walked toward the residence. Baker was stopped and contact was made.

The strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected coming from Baker. He had bloodshot, watery eyes, impaired balance, slurred speech and was acting irrationally.

Baker was told the UTV was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, to which he stated there is only one side on a Level B road. The passenger confirmed Baker to be the UTV driver. Baker refused all field sobriety testing and refused to provide a specimen for chemical testing.

Baker had also been reported for causing issues at the Cromwell Tap. Witnesses said Baker was driving the UTV at that time as well and deputies observed the UTV leaving the area.

Baker was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $6,300 cash or surety bond.

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Susan Lemon, 56, of Canon City, Colorado, was taken into custody 1:29 a.m. March 29, at Birch and Montgomery streets on four Union County warrants: two for the charge of failure to appear on the original charge of driving while barred and two for the charge of violation of probation.

According to Union County District Court documents, Lemon was ordered to appear July 2, 2015, for arraignment on the two original charges and did not appear.

After being convicted of OWI, first offense and theft, third degree, Lemon was given a suspended sentence Feb. 26, 2015, of two years probation. Lemon violated the terms of her probation by being charged two times in May 2015 for driving while barred in Union County. Lemon admitted to methamphetamine use May 9, 2015. She also was a no call/no show for a probation appointment May 18, 2015, and failed to make the rescheduled appointment May 22, 2015. On May 27, 2015, she was charged in Montgomery County with open container and driving while barred.

Lemon was transported to the Clarke County Jail and held on $10,000 cash only bond.