Atwood man charged for biting deputy during DUI arrest
URBANA -- Bond has been set at $15,000 for a Atwood man charged with aggravated battery for allegedly biting a Champaign County sheriff's deputy while he was being arrested for driving under the influence.
Donald E. Dowds, 23, who listed an address in Atwood, pleaded innocent on Wednesday to aggravated battery and driving under the influence.
According to a police report, Dowds was driving a car on County Road 600 E near 575 N in rural Sadorus when the car crashed into a farm field shortly after midnight Wednesday morning. The car landed about 50 feet away from the road.
Assistant State's Attorney Chris Kanis said Dowds walked to a nearby house and called police.
When sheriff's deputies arrived, the report said, they found Dowds asleep in the car with the keys in the ignition and open containers of beer and brandy in the car.
When the deputies woke Dowds, they said he had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
The report said Dowds resisted when the deputies tried to arrest him. As they struggled on the ground, Dowds allegedly bit Sheriff's Deputy Norman Meeker Jr. on the wrist, the report said.
Judge John Kennedy set Dowds' next court appearance for May 31.
The Champaign County sheriff's office had no report of any injuries to Meeker.
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