INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Forty six-year-old Robert Hickey bonded out of jail New Year’s Day after an early morning arrest in Independence. Court records state that Hickey left the Quik Trip at Sterling Ave. and 40 Highway a little less than two hours into the new year.
Police knew something was wrong as soon as Hickey made an illegal left-hand turn and drove west on 40 Highway in the east bound lanes. Police started following him and watched as he stayed in the oncoming lanes, then moved to the center turning lane and finally into the correct lanes.
The probable cause statement states Hickey’s pick-up truck swerved one last time and they pulled him over. One responding officer walked up to the truck and smelled alcohol right away and said Hickey’s eyes were bloodshot.
Then the officer turned his attention to his young passenger: a nine-month-old, in a car seat, but the seat wasn’t secure.
The officer found an open beer, half-full between the driver and the car seat. Hickey was arrested and taken to the Independence Police Department. Court records show he failed or refused to complete three field sobriety tests.
When he was asked to consent to a breathalyzer, he did and blew a .167, which is twice the legal limit. Court papers didn’t explain the relationship between the baby and Hickey.
Hickey has prior DWI convictions from 1995 and 2001. He is due in court on DWI and child endangerment charges later in January.