ST. THOMAS — A man is facing a slew of charges after he reportedly crashed an unregistered vehicle which police believe he did not have permission to operate.

Among the charges filed against Casey Crossland are unauthorized use of a vehicle, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving. He was arrested after an officer was dispatched to the Veterans Drive area of the Legislature Building in response to an accident at around 3:00 a.m. on Friday. The officer observed a jeep wrangler lodged in the fence of the back parking lot of the building and the operator who was standing outside the vehicle identified himself as Casey Crossland. According to the probable cause fact sheet, Crossland told the officer that he was trying to drive off and go home but the vehicle wouldn’t move. He reportedly failed to produce the requested license and registration documents and stated that another individual was selling the vehicle and he opted not to pay $7,000 for it, so when the individual left he got the vehicle and operated it periodically.

The officer reportedly observed the smell of alcohol on Crossland’s breath and took note of his slurred speech, staggering walk and attempts to hold onto the vehicle for balance. According to the fact sheet, when asked if he had consumed alcohol, Crossland stated that he had come from a pub and had consumed three drinks. In his statement, he indicated that he felt like he shouldn’t be driving so he pulled over and he felt fine at first then saw something that he found “kinda weird”. Exactly what Crossland thought he saw was not disclosed in the fact sheet. He was later arrested after failing the standardized field sobriety tests.

Investigations revealed that Crossland had no documents granting him permission to use the vehicle and that the name and number he provided for the owner did not match what was on file at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. According to police, no one responded to the calls placed to the number provided. Further investigations revealed that the vehicle had not been registered since 2021 and no insurance information was listed. According to the fact sheet, skid marks on the road leading to the impact point indicated that Crossland passed over the sidewalk where pedestrians were jogging. He also destroyed a metal pole with a street mirror attached. The fact sheet further states that an individual called police after Crossland allegedly attempted to leave the scene.

Following Crossland’s arrest, bail was set at $25,000 and unable to post that figure he was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections to await his hearing. At the hearing which was held on Friday, the judge concluded that he would be released on the posting of 10 % o the bail amount.

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