Steelville Man Charged In DWI Crash That Injured Passenger

A Steelville man has been charged in a June crash that led to serious injuries for the passenger in the vehicle.

Rowan Ward, born in 2004, was charged Aug. 29 for DWI — serious physical injury.

The crash happened June 12 in Cuba. Misdemeanor charges have been filed for operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner and failure to stop at a stop sign.

According to the probable cause statement, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department was called to assist Cuba police around 4 a.m.

Ward was allegedly uncooperative during the horizontal gaze test. The probable cause statement says he would slowly close his eyes and lean towards the deputy, while continuously swaying in a circular motion.

Ward also could not perform a walk and turn test.

He refused to submit to a breath test.

The deputy attempted to make contact with the passenger the following day. The passenger, identified as Benjamin Martinez, was reportedly unavailable due to being in surgery.

The probable cause statement said the deputy was told Martinez had been paralyzed.

The deputy made contact with Martinez at a later date and he would not confirm his injuries.

Martinez told the deputy he was advised not to speak with anyone about the crash and to contact his legal counsel.

The deputy said in the probable cause he has been unable reach anyone to confirm.