A 41-year-old Maricopa man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated DUI after a solo rollover crash on Maricopa–Casa Grande Highway last week. Details were filed in a probable-cause statement today in Western Pinal Justice Court. 

Norwin J. Sequeira of Saddleback Farms was booked Wednesday after his gray Ford Explorer overturned onto its driver’s side near Fuqua Road, which runs behind Pinal Feeding. The wreck was reported just before 7:30 p.m.

Sequeira, the sole occupant, reportedly told an officer he had been passing another vehicle while westbound when he lost control and veered off the road. 

The officer reported a strong odor of alcohol and wrote that Sequeira acknowledged drinking earlier in the day, admitting to “three Coors Lights” before getting behind the wheel, according to the filing. Because Sequeira reported a possible leg injury and hitting his head, standard field sobriety tests were not conducted, the report says. Maricopa Fire personnel evaluated him at the scene, and witnesses reported seeing an ambulance, but he declined to be transported. 

Drivers reported standstill traffic for about 20 minutes as traffic backed up for more than a mile. It wasn’t long before commuters began crawling again.

After 10 minutes on scene, Maricopa Police officers arrested Sequeira on suspicion of aggravated DUI. A search after his arrest turned up a holstered knife on his belt, according to the report. 

Sequeira declined an administrative blood draw. Police were able to obtain an electronic warrant signed by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Gwyndolynn Gentry at about 9 p.m. Officers served the warrant at 9:30 p.m., and two vials of blood were drawn 10 minutes later, the statement says.

Officers do not list the results of that blood draw, but the suspect driver was charged with aggravated DUI, weapons misconduct, driving on a suspended license and not having a valid driver’s license.

Court records show Sequeira has a history of alcohol and traffic-related offenses spanning more than a decade. That rap sheet includes a 2021 aggravated DUI conviction and multiple convictions for driving on a suspended or revoked license. He’s also been cited for speeding and driving without a valid license. 

Sequeira, who was at the wrong place at the wrong time during a 2022 police shootout — which was also on the MCG — said he was passing Wednesday night. Police noted he was the only car involved in the wreck.