Diamond man arrested on ninth DWI charge, fleeing police

A man from Diamond, Missouri, is facing his ninth DWI charge.

49-year-old Michael Girdner was arrested early Friday morning after he allegedly led police on a high speed pursuit when they tried to pull him over.

A probable cause statement from a Joplin Police officer says he fled at speed up to 120 miles per hour before he parked his truck and fled on foot and was apprehended by officers.

“I observed strong odor of intoxicants coming from Michael while taking him into custody. After a search of Michael’s vehicle a firearm was found in the back seat’s floorboard, which he is not allowed to be in possession of as he is a convicted felon,” said the officer.

That same officer told a judge, “Michael has been arrested eight prior times for Driving While Intoxicated and his driver’s license has been revoked yet he continues to do so. These blatant acts lead me to believe Michael has no regard for the lives of other drivers on the road when he decides to drive while in an intoxicated condition.”

He is being charged as a habitual offender.

He will be back in court on July 2.