Battery suspect arrested for DUI

PRIEST RIVER — A Priest River man is facing a suite of misdemeanor criminal charges after battering a bystander, crashing his vehicle and struggling with law officers during his arrest on Monday.

Shane Michael Atterberry is charged with battery, driving under the influence and two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer. He made initial appearances in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Tuesday and Wednesday and has posted a $2,500 surety bond to secure his release, court records show.

Atterberry, 38, is accused of striking a 59-year-old customer at the Corner Store Exxon in the face after the store’s clerk refused to sell Atterberry alcohol because of his inebriated state, a probable cause affidavit said. The customer was struck without provocation, according to the affidavit.

Atterberry allegedly fled the scene northbound on Highway 57 and crashed his Volvo S80 in the 1500 block of Peninsula Road. A passerby picked up Atterberry, who had a head wound after crashing his sedan into a tree, and drove him to his residence in the 300 block of Gregory Street, the arrest report said.

Atterberry, according to court documents, went “berserk” inside the home and refused commands to exit the dwelling. He eventually emerged after law officers from Priest River and Bonner County coaxed him from the home using a patrol vehicle’s public address system, the affidavit said.

Atterberry’s demeanor veered from calm and polite to upset and angry, according to court documents. He was unable or unwilling to complete field sobriety evaluations and was placed under arrest. His breath-alcohol level was measured at 0.16, which is two times the legal limit to drive of 0.08, the affidavit said.

Atterberry became combative during the arrest and allegedly tried to escape the patrol vehicle he was seated in by squirming through a partially ajar window, according to court records. He spit blood into the face of police Chief Drew McLain and kicked Deputy Christopher Bonner before he could be placed in leg restraints, the affidavit said.

En route to the jail, Atterberry reportedly beat his head against the partition separating the front and back seats, made racial slurs and expressed a desire to kill President Donald Trump, the affidavit said.

At one point during the episode, Atterberry disclosed that he was suffering from a bipolar disorder, court documents indicate.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.