Arkansas Police: Drunk Bicyclist Crashes With Young Son In Tow

A West Fork, Arkansas man faces multiple charges after police said he crashed his bicycle while drunk while pulling his 4-year-old son in a buggy Saturday night.

Police booked Mark Fochtman, 29, into the Washington County Detention Center early Sunday. He's being held without bond on complaints of endangering the welfare of a minor, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and fleeing.

KFSM, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, said Fayetteville Police responded to a call from the Washington County Medical Center about a man who had put his child in danger by riding bicycle while intoxicated. Officers stated in their report they found Fochtman in the emergency room and said he "appeared heavily intoxicated" with bloodshot eyes, poor balance and a strong smell of alcohol.

Fochtman told officers he had taken his son to a bar for 4-5 hours and then left on a bicycle pulling his son in a buggy behind him. Police say Fochtman said a car pulled out in front of him causing him to crash, throwing the toddler to the pavement.

Officers said the son had bruises and abrasions on his forehead and right arm and minor scratches on his cheek.

The report said Fochtman closed his eyes and refused to open them when officers attempted to administer an eye test. Police said Fochtman told them his eyes closed involuntarily because he had Tourette syndrome. Officers arrested Fochtman for a warrant from Springdale for a revocation of a suspended sentence.

Police used Fochtman's cell phone to call a family member to take the 4-year-old, but the report said officers were unable to find anyone sober enough to come to the hospital.

A hospital staff member then put Fochtman's arm in a splint because of a fracture sustained in the accident and officers used the distraction to turn the boy over to the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Hospital staff told officers Fochtman had left the hospital while they were busy. Police said they found Fochtman near a bike trail less than a mile from the hospital and arrested him.