Police say Ga. man was drunk when he tried to drive through fatal crash scene

 A Georgia man whom police say was intoxicated when he ran through a roadblock on Interstate 75 and almost hit three firefighters, pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday in Laurel District Court.

Winchester K. Eldred, 63, of Marietta, Ga., was arrested about 6:30 a.m. Saturday after forcing his way through the roadblock West Knox firefighters had set up to direct traffic off of I-75 at exit 29 while emergency personnel worked to clear up a fatal wreck.

"The firefighters had cones and the fire truck set up to divert traffic," said Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Sgt. Greg Reams. "(Eldred) came over into the left lane and just accelerated and went through the cones."

As Eldred approached the accident scene near the 30 milemarker, Reams said he was forced to stop by the emergency vehicles and debris from the accident.

"He was very beligerant, cussing and just trying to provoke the officers," Reams said, adding that Eldred refused to submit to a blood test.

Based on his actions and other evidence, the blood test wasn’t needed," Reams said, noting that traffic was not particularly heavy at the time and was moving.

Eldred was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, three counts of wanton endangerment, disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic, disorderly conduct, menacing and no insurance and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

Judge Skip Hammons amended Eldred’s bond to $10,000 cash and set the case for a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. on July 24.