Driver accused of using heroin before wreck waives hearing

A 26-year-old Columbus man admitted to “shooting up” $50 worth of heroin before wrecking Sunday night at the intersection of Floyd and Buena Vista roads, according to authorities.

Columbus police said David Dashiell of Columbus was slumped over the wheel of a 2011 Ford Escape when they arrived on the scene at 9:25 p.m.

Officers said the SUV collided with a street sign and the rear window on the driver’s side was smashed in. A witness told authorities they broke the window to check on the defendant, who had a syringe lying on his arm at the time of the incident, police said.

He was transported to the Midtown Medical Center for treatment when he woke up in the ambulance. That’s when, police said, he told an officer wearing an active body camera that he purchased $50 worth of heroin from a woman at an unknown address behind the Walgreens on Buena Vista Road.

He admitted to “shooting up” the entire amount before driving to the Circle K at 1040 Floyd Road, where he bought a drink, authorities said. He was driving out of the parking lot when he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into the street sign, police said.

He also allegedly claimed to own everything in the vehicle where they found syringes and a spoon with suspected heroin.

Police said Dashiell agreed to a state-administered blood test, but officials are waiting to receive those results.

Dashiell pleaded not guilty to possession of heroin, possession of drug-related objects and driving under the influence but guilty to striking a fixed object.

He was given bonds totaling $6,750 for every charge aside from the striking a fixed object citation in which he was ordered to serve 10 days in the Muscogee County Jail.

Judge Michael Cielinski bound the case over to Superior Court.

Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Driver accused of using heroin before wreck waives hearing."