A Boyden man has been arrested on a felony operating while intoxicated charge after toxicology results were returned from a crash last fall near George.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Iowa State Patrol, 45-year-old Gilpatrick Panuel of Boyden is accused of driving drunk for the third or subsequent time and causing a traffic crash. Panuel was arrested on Thursday.
In his statement, the trooper says the crash occurred on October 4th, 2025, on 210th Street, about six miles east of George. The trooper says Panuel failed to stop at a stop sign, resulting in a collision.
The trooper reported detecting the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Panuel and says he blew over the legal limit on a portable breath test. A blood sample was then drawn at Sanford Sheldon Hospital.
Toxicology results later showed Panuel’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.116 percent, which is above Iowa’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Panuel has been charged with operating while intoxicated, third or subsequent offense, a class D felony. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on February 2nd.
Court records show Panuel was booked into the Lyon County Jail in Rock Rapids and was released the following day after posting a $5,000 cash or surety bond.
This story is courtesy of fellow Community First Broadcasting station KIWA Radio
