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Ex-BCSO Sheriff Refused Sobriety Test, Denied Being Intoxicated: GCPD

by The Berkeley Observer
Wayne Dewitt served as sheriff of Berkeley County for approximately 20 years.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – Prior to his arrest Tuesday, former Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne “Henry” DeWitt, 71, of Goose Creek refused a sobriety test and denied being intoxicated, according to the Goose Creek Police Department.

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to the area of United States Highway 176 and Callen Boulevard for a possible drunk driver, a police report shows.

Once on scene, officers said they observed a strong odor of alcohol coming from DeWitt. Officers said DeWitt’s eyes were glossy and his speech also slurred.

According to the police report, an officer asked DeWitt if he had been drinking, and he responded, “no.”

An officer also asked the former sheriff if he was on any prescribed medications, and he again answered, “no.”

“I asked DeWitt what happened to his truck, DeWitt replied, ‘flat tire,'” the police report reads.

Police said they spoke to DeWitt’s friend who was at the scene. He informed officers that they were returning from Elloree when DeWitt’s tire blew out.

PICTURED: Wayne DeWitt (CREDIT: Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office)

According to DeWitt’s friend, he was following behind him prior to the blowout, prompting him to pull over on the side of the road.

“I asked DeWitt if he would submit to the standardized field sobriety test, DeWitt advised, ‘I’m good,'” the police report said.

While searching DeWitt’s black Ford F-150 truck, officers said they found an open bottle of Bourbon in the rear passenger’s seat.

They also recovered Dewitt’s retired Berkeley County Sheriff’s badge and identification card
from the vehicle. Both were placed into evidence.

DeWitt was ultimately placed in handcuffs and read his Miranda Rights, police said. He was then placed in an unmarked patrol car.

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The former sheriff has been charged with driving under the influence (2nd offense) and for having an open container of beer/wine.

He was booked into the Hill Finklea Detention Center and released the following day.

DeWitt’s next court appearance is Nov. 22.

In 2016, the former, longtime sheriff also pleaded guilty to DUI and failure to comply with law enforcement.

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