According to a deputy and several witnesses, a Bloomfield driver came close to hitting several children as well as other vehicles when he revved his engine, smoked his tires and drove through a crowded grocery store parking lot at a high rate of speed last weekend. He was arrested.

David William Stewart, Jr., 33, was operating a 2004 Kia when he turned into the parking lot of Ruler Foods in Bloomfield around 8 p.m. Saturday, June 9.

Bloomfield Deputy Marshal Jordan Allor was westbound on State Road 54 at the time and said he saw Stewart make the turn at a high rate of speed. Then Stewart’s rear tires locked up with white smoke coming from the tires and the officer said he saw the Kia slide sideways in a reckless manner.

The officer activated his red and blue lights but the Kia didn’t stop so he activated the siren, reporting the Kia continued driving the wrong way, almost crashing into vehicles and pedestrians.

When the Kia headed back around to exit the lot, it finally stopped when a pedestrian waved it down.

Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Goad was dispatched and arrived to assist on the scene.

Stewart was asked to get out of the Kia with his license and registration.

According to Officer Allor, Stewart said his brakes went out so he pulled his emergency brake trying to get stopped. Regarding the engine revving, Stewart said it was revving because he was trying to get used to driving a stick.

One witness said she had to pull a child back out of the way to avoid getting hit and three other children had to move quickly to get out of the Kia’s way.

According to Officer Allor, when he ran a records check, he learned the Mississippi plate on the Kia was registered to a 2012 Jeep Wrangler, Stewart’s driver’s license was suspended and not eligible for reinstatement, and he has a prior conviction for possession of marijuana.

A substance believed to be marijuana and items of paraphernalia were found in the Kia when it was inventoried.

Stewart was booked in to the Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $5,500 surety with ten percent allowed. He paid $550 cash and was released the next day.

When he appears for his initial hearing in Greene Superior Court, he will be charged with:

• Criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, a Level 6 felony,
• Possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and
• Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.