Small Town Iowa Sergeant Put on Paid Leave After OWI Hit-and-Run
Just two weeks ago, we wrote about an off-duty police officer in northwest Iowa who was charged with a striking child with his pickup and leaving the scene. He struck a six-year-old girl who was later admitted to a hospital and is expected to fully recover. The officer -- Michael McGee -- has since resigned.
Apparently, Sergeant Bryce Presswood of the Fort Dodge Police Department did not learn the obvious lesson from this incident, nor many others he should have.
According to a police release, Webster County deputies responded to a report of a hit-and-run crash Sunday, June 5 at 6:27 PM at the intersection of Highway 20 and Vasse Avenue. One of the vehicles had left the scene and no injuries were reported.
In the initial report of the crash, investigators didn't directly say that Presswood was involved but stated that "As a result of the information developed during this investigation, Sgt. Presswood with the Fort Dodge Police Department has been placed on paid administrative leave until further notice."
So, in other words, he was the perpetrator of the hit-and-run.
As of today, June 7, the sergeant is being charged with operating while intoxicated in connection with the hit-and-run crash.
KCCI reports that "Court records show Sgt. Bryce Presswood admits he drank 12 cans of Coors Light before driving."
The news site adds that "He also told investigators he left the scene of the crash but later returned. No one was seriously hurt."
Per The Messenger in Fort Dodge, "Presswood has been with the FDPD since March 2016. From 2018 until February 2022, he served as the school resource officer at Fort Dodge Senior High. In February, he was promoted to sergeant and placed back on patrol."
He remains on administrative leave at the moment.