Driver Arrest for DWI after Knocking Down Decorative Light Pole on Square
March 7th, 2010 by Joe Burgess
Late last week, a driver knocked down one of the decorative light poles on the Monticello square, and didn”t stop until she was caught by police, as she attempted to return to her home in Western Pines.
Diane Payne, age 51, of Monticello was arrested and charged with DWI, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and refusing to submit, after the car she was driving ran off of McCloy St. at the Monticello square, and onto ther sidewalk, where she knocked down one of the light poles, before leaving the scene.
Another vehicle reported the accident to MPD dispatch, who relayed the call to officers, who saw the vehicle turning into Western Pines.
Payne was arrested and taken to the Drew County Detention Facility.
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Has she been convicted? By reading the first paragraph, it appears she has. This reads like really bad journalism, perhaps Joe would do well to attend Drew Central or UAM for writing classes. While there he may also learn that standing in the highway, or road, could get you hit by a car – even if doing “you job.”
“was arrested and charged”, see paragraph 2.
Don’t sweat it ,Joe….
There are some of us who read and understand what you report…Keep up the good work…
I agree with John Q. Public… His stories are made to sound better than they are. For instance, I talked to the lady the was supposely held hostage and she said a totally different story than monticellolive.com posted. Think he is doing this to get more attention..
Be real ,you would have to be drunk,high or something to hit that pole and keep going like nothing.I don’t think the cops take you to the CDF JAIL for nothing lol.That pole is going to cost her some money.I SUPPORT MADD!!
I personally would like to say how much i appreciate what you do!! I think you do a wonderful job! I am so glad you decided to do this for our community-i read monticellolive every day! It’s nice to be able to read what is going on every day not just once a week!!!
Well, John Q, while the author is in a writing class, perhaps you should take “Reading for Comprehension 101″ because nobody claimed anything about a conviction. They said she was *arrested*.
OMG. Ms. Payne? (I know her.) There must be more to this story. I can’t imagine why she would behave like that! I guess we are all human…
Joe,
Its nice to be able to keep up with what’s going on around Monticello. I look at the site 3 or 4 times a day. Keep up the good work and thank you.
MR. BURGESS KEEP ON DELIVERING THE NEWS. DON’T MAKE ANY CHANGES YOU ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB KEEPING MONITCELLO AND OTHER PARTS OF SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS INFORMED OF WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND US. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORKS!
John Q. there was enough evidence to support the charges and the arrest, so there is enough reason to support the article. If you have a problem with that go to court in that persons behalf and get yourself a good dose of court. I am sure the Judge would like to hear your way of thinking, and if he doesn’t he will probably let you know.I personaly think Joe does a great job, so Joe keep up the good work!
You people need to read more. Journalism 101 teaches you BEFORE someone is CONVICTED you can’t say THEY DID anything, you have to say they ALLEGEDLY did something.
This is REAL LIFE 101 if you have a problem with what is being posted here you do not have to even come onto this sight.Joe is doing a fine job, and if you have such a problem with the way he is doing things START YOUR OWN PAGE.Keep up what you are doing joe.
This is not about Joe. This is about Ms. Payne. Is no one else shocked that a she got a DWI?
I personally don’t think this post should be turned into a battle over who says what wrong. John Q Defender is right, you cannot say someone did something until they have been convicted. A suspect is to be considered until proven guilty in a court of law. But on the other-hand Joe does a good job of reporting the news.
There is a thing in this country called “Freedom of Speech”, look it up. No one should let it get out of hand.
Why take up for a DRUNK person?????? That pole could of been a person.Would you take up for her then????Even if she wasn’t drunk look at all the other laws she had nerve to break. Shocked NO!!! Nothing shocks me anymore.
Actually, Joe didn’t say she was drunk.
The report says that she hit the pole and left the scene.
This hasn’t been questioned, and there must’ve been witnesses
It later says that she was charged with DWI, not that she was drunk.
Like I said before. Dont sweat it , joe. There are some of us readers who can comprehend what we read. Keep up the good work and be careful out there .
When you are arrested for DWI you aren’t arrested in suspicion of DWI! You are arrested because you failed a sobriety test. So innocent until proven guilt does not apply in this case. But, really. Why are you taking up for the person that was driving intoxicated! WOW!
If Ms. Payne were not (who she is) would this article have received this many post? Would people be questioning the validity of the article? If had been just some lady no one knew this would have appeared on Monticellolive and it would never have made a blip on the radar screen.
I know Diane and I’m thinking there’s more to this story than just what is on the surface.
hmm i thought intoxicated was another word for DRUNK.
there is noooooooooo excuse for drinking and driving nooooooo matter who you are. What if that had been a child instead of a pole?
oh and joe… keep up the good work…glad you are better.
I wasn’t taking up for anyone or saying the story shouldnt be on here. I was just pointing out as a journalist you are suppose to write in a certain style.
And to the person that said failing a sobriety test means guilt. That can’t be more false. YOU STILL HAVE TO GO TO COURT. You still have to enter a plea weather it be guilty,no contest, or not guilty. Until then, you are only CHARGED with that crime not convicted. This isn’t Judge Dread. Officers aren’t Judge, Jury, and Executioner.
Joe only writes what he is told by the people he gets his information from. He doesn’t glorify or glamorize it, he just states at the same way it comes to him. If the information was reported to Joe differently then it would have been written differently…plain and simple.
Just bc Ms. Payne was arrested and charged doesn’t mean the charges can’t be dropped at a later time. I have dealt with her the past three years and have been in many of her classes as well as an advisee. I hope there is more to this story than what is printed.
I will say I believe Mr. Burgess writes what information he is given. If you look at the Advance the stories are almost the same as the ones posted on MonticelloLive.
This does not surprise me. I have personally seen her drunk on a number of occasions, and running into a light pole is not the worst of her drunken actions.