May 4, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

RE:  Intoxicated driver arrested after Hit and Run Crash

     Just after 7:00pm last night, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a Hit and Run Crash near 1st St. and Ammon Rd.  The reporting party advised dispatch he was struck by a green Chevy pickup and attempted to follow it as he called to make the report.  A Deputy located the pickup at the Maverick gas station at Lincoln and Ammon Rd. and was able to stop and detain the driver.  The reporting party confirmed with Deputies the pickup was involved in the crash. 

     As Deputies made contact with the driver, later identified as 25 year old Chase L. Furniss of Idaho Falls, they observed obvious signs of impairment.  After a series of Field Sobriety Tests and administering a breath test, Deputies found Mr. Furniss to be more than 3 times the legal limit of .08 BAC allowed by law.  Deputies also discovered Mr. Furniss had two previous convictions for Driving Under the Influence, one of which being a conviction for Excessive DUI. 

     Mr. Furniss was placed under arrest and transported to the Bonneville County Jail where he was booked on a charge of Excessive DUI.  Mr. Furniss was also issued a citation for Misdemeanor Leaving the Scene of an Accident.  No injuries were reported in the crash. 

     The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office responds to reports of possible intoxicated drivers every day.  Our Deputies would like to remind the public to call their local Law Enforcement Dispatch when they suspect someone is too impaired to be driving and to be a good witness.  In instances such as this, a call from witnesses to help guide Deputies where they can intervene could save others from being injured in a crash.  In addition, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to be responsible by choosing NOT to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, motorcycle, or watercraft when you’ve been drinking or using drugs.  It’s a choice that could save your life and others.