‘There will be zero tolerance’: Marion police warn people off flooded roadways

Motorist arrested for driving on water-soaked streets

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

In Marion, a city still drying out from Saturday’s downpour, one misstep behind the wheel landed a new resident in handcuffs. The police weren’t pulling any punches when it came to _ooded roadways – drive through one, and you may not drive far.

Issac Vega, who moved to Marion just three weeks ago, was arrested after taking an alternate route home when his usual street was blocked by _oodwater. He had made a quick trip to Tractor Supply as the storms began and was returning home when he encountered a black pickup truck pulled to the side of the road near his neighborhood. As he steered around it, a police ofcer stepped out and placed him under arrest.

Hours earlier, the Marion Police Department issued a rm warning via Facebook that any driver caught driving through _ooded streets within city limits would face immediate arrest. “If caught, you will be arrested,” the post stated. “Your vehicle will be left where it is, at your expense, until the water recedes, as we cannot get tow trucks into these areas without causing more damage.” The department added that those who create additional property damage by pushing water into homes or businesses “will be subject to being charged and/or being arrested.”

Vega was charged with driving in a prohibited area and reckless driving. He claimed he never left the main road, did not drive onto anyone’s yard and was simply trying to nd a safe route home. He also said he was unaware that arrests were being made for driving through _ooded areas and believed a Facebook post wasn’t an effective way to warn the public. According to him, if he had known, he would not have gone out at

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all. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

The post made clear there would be “zero tolerance” for drivers ignoring the policy.. The arrest came after heavy rains Saturday _ooded several roads throughout the city, forcing closures and prompting emergency response teams to monitor rising water levels.

The West Memphis Police Department also instituted a similar policy to the one enforced in Marion.–