Drunk Driving Suspect Arrested After Stopping to Fix Tire

Iowa City police apprehended the 19-year-old after he was spotted repairing a flat in a stranger's driveway.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 19-year-old man was arrested in Iowa City on suspicion of drunk driving after he stopped to fix a flat tire on his Toyota Camry in a stranger's driveway. Police were initially called to the scene of a reported crash, but found no evidence of an accident. They then responded to a call about a man repairing a vehicle and determined the driver, Joshua Bergeron, was intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level of .087%.

Why it matters

Drunk driving remains a serious public safety issue, with thousands of fatalities and injuries each year. This case highlights the risks posed by impaired drivers, even when they try to address vehicle issues responsibly by pulling over.

The details

According to arrest records, police were called to the intersection of Muscatine Avenue and Iowa Avenue just before 2 a.m. on Sunday morning for a reported crash. However, officers were unable to find evidence of an accident. They were then alerted to a man, later identified as 19-year-old Joshua Bergeron, attempting to change a flat tire on his 2012 Toyota Camry in a stranger's driveway. Bergeron admitted to driving the vehicle and showed signs of intoxication, registering a breath alcohol level of .087%.

  • The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Joshua Bergeron

A 19-year-old resident of South Riverside Drive in Iowa City who was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Iowa City Police

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and apprehended Bergeron.

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What’s next

Bergeron is expected to appear in court on Tuesday to face charges of Operating While Intoxicated, Failure to Maintain Control, Striking Fixtures on a Roadway, and Possession a Fictitious License.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of responsible driving and the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to address the ongoing problem of drunk driving in communities across the country.