The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

IC man drives into house under influence of marijuana

Iowa City police arrested an Iowa City man after he allegedly drove over a utility box and into a house while under the influence of marijuana.

Robert Allen Mengis, 54, 2401 Friendship St., was charged July 10 with possession of a controlled substance and third-offense OWI.

According to reports, officers were dispatched to 824 Dover St. after receiving reports of an accident in which the reporting party told police Mengis drove over a green utility box and into a house.

Mengis was allegedly disoriented, sweating profusely, had slurred speech, and appeared unsteady on his feet when officers arrived on the scene, but he told officers he was driving slowly and all of a sudden his car went off the road.

Complaints said police found a cigarette box with a small amount of marijuana in Mengis’ pocket and a tin with marijuana residue and a pipe in his vehicle.

Tests by a police drug-recognition expert determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance.

Mengis has two previous OWI convictions from 2001 and 2005, according to the report.

— by Hayley Bruce

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