DUI suspect strikes cop directing traffic, scuffle ensues

[RedStickChick]

SILVER SPRING, Md. — An officer was injured Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic after an accident involving four cars on a highway.

ABC 7 reports that the 58-year-old driver struck the 20-year veteran of the force after cones were removed from one of the blocked lanes.

A confrontation between the officer and the driver began shortly after. The officer attempted to open the driver’s door several times after the driver failed to immediately step out of the vehicle.

The driver at one point fell over after exiting his car.

The officer was escorted off the scene by a firefighter.

He was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries, according to the Washington Post.

The suspect is reported to have had a BAC of .22. He has been charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

The officer’s actions during the incident will also be under investigation, according to the report.

Video in link - http://www.policeone.com/arrests/articles/7343271-Video-DUI-suspect-strikes-cop-directing-traffic-scuffle-ensues/

 

[JBP55]

No Video.

 

[AustinBR]

BAC of 0.22? And he was driving? Holy crap. I was at 0.19 back in March (we have a police grade breathalyzer for fun's sake) and you couldn't tell me to drive ANYTHING even if money was being presented. Damn. That is crazy.

 

[rtr_rtr]

I'm pretty sensitive to inappropriate use of force, but come on... That was pretty admirable restraint imo

 

[Pas Tout La]

BAC of 0.22? And he was driving? Holy crap. I was at 0.19 back in March (we have a police grade breathalyzer for fun's sake) and you couldn't tell me to drive ANYTHING even if money was being presented. Damn. That is crazy.

No kidding huh? I don't drink to get drunk anymore (finally realized I can't handle the next morning), but in the off chace I do, I'm trying to give my keys to somebody. Just having them on me even if I'm buzzed makes me nervous as Hell.

 

[RedStickChick]

BAC of 0.22? And he was driving? Holy crap. I was at 0.19 back in March (we have a police grade breathalyzer for fun's sake) and you couldn't tell me to drive ANYTHING even if money was being presented. Damn. That is crazy.

Yeahhhh. The chick I had to deal with back in October (and STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH) was at 0.262.

 

[Hitman]

No Video.

The Washington Post link in the article
has the video.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[madwabbit]

I'm shocked thats all that happened.

In different circumstances that'd be battery on a police officer

 

[BlueLineIPSC]

DUI is a strange thing. I had a guy blow 0.35 not too long ago. It was still going up when I pulled the tube (I didn't want to take him to the hospital). He was a functioning alcoholic. I knew he was impaired, but by all means had no idea he was that impaired. He was walking decently and talking with a pretty good slur, but for .35 I would have expected vomit in/out of consciousness. I have seen people blow .12-.15 much worse off than he was.

 

[Emperor]

DUI is a strange thing. I had a guy blow 0.35 not too long ago. It was still going up when I pulled the tube (I didn't want to take him to the hospital). He was a functioning alcoholic. I knew he was impaired, but by all means had no idea he was that impaired. He was walking decently and talking with a pretty good slur, but for .35 I would have expected vomit in/out of consciousness. I have seen people blow .12-.15 much worse off than he was.

That because a BAC is not a one size fits all science. It is the measure used for DUI cases (because there isn't anything else; yet), but as science on individuals, it is flawed.

I know functioning alcoholics that could win needle-eye threading contests while "legally" drunk, all day long.

 

[madwabbit]

That because a BAC is not a one size fits all science. It is the measure used for DUI cases (because there isn't anything else; yet), but as science on individuals, it is flawed.

I know functioning alcoholics that could win needle-eye threading contests while "legally" drunk, all day long.

also know 200lb guys that can't walk to their car after two stiff drinks.

 

[Emperor]

also know 200lb guys that can't walk to their car after two stiff drinks.

Yep!

In observing alcoholics for decades, I do notice that there is a time in their lives where they go from "legally drunk needle threading champions" to the person that you speak of. The only thing that has changed is their ages mostly.

I assume that it probably has as much to do with the brain being pickled for so long and finally showing adverse affects or wear and tear; as well as a deterioration of motor skills from excessive alcohol use and age itself. There also seems to be a correlation with a dramatic decrease in overall resistance to the affects of alcohol along with that.

 

[oleheat]

That wasn't much of a "shove".

That guy had to be so drunk he could hardly stand. I think the cop showed a lot more restraint than most- the SOB almost killed him!

I would also bet that next time, he won't turn his head on a car headed towards him. That was too close to being very ugly....

 

[tim9lives]

I agree...that wasn't much of a "shove."

Granted...the cop shoved the drunk...just a little bit. But...I'm guessing that the driver would not have fallen if his blood alcohol level was within a sober range. He had an alcohol level of 0.22

Let's face it...The main reason the dude fell after being lightly pushed is because he was drunk as a skunk. Same reason he almost ran over a cop.

Human nature would make anyone mad as hell after they were almost run over. Especially once we realize that the driver is drunk as a skunk...And could have very easily killed us by running us over...which is exactly what happened here.