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The incident happened around 3:21 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, as Deputy D.S. Jett was driving home along White Oak Road, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.
At that point, the deputy saw headlights barreling toward him in the wrong lane.
According to the sheriff's office, Jett activated the cruiser's emergency lights to get the driver’s attention, and 42-year-old Donald Nichelson, Jr. was able to swerve back into his proper lane, though not before the deputy had to use evasive maneuvers to avoid crashing.
Once the dust settled, the deputy pulled over Nichelson with an assist from another member of the sheriff's office.
When questioned, Nichelson denied driving recklessly, saying he did “nothing head on;” however, deputies noted the strong smell of alcohol on his breath, his bloodshot eyes, and his slurred speech.
Nichelson admitted to drinking one canned margarita, though deputies found multiple open cans in the car.
A further check revealed he had a prior DUI and was driving on a suspended license, officials said.
Nichelson was charged with second-offense DUI within five years with a blood alcohol content above .20 percent, drinking while driving, driving while suspended, and reckless driving.
He is being held at Rappahannock Regional Jail pending a bond hearing.
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