DUI: What Was He Thinking?

Of all the cars to run into while driving under the influence of alcohol; a patrol car? According to an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jose Navarro Solis rammed into a parked patrol car while DUI. The officer was not actually in the patrol car when it was hit, but received "minor injuries" when the patrol car was jolted forward into the officer after the impact.

Some people seem to make their own bad luck.

DUI: Don't Drown Your Sorrows and then Drive Your Car

As if things weren't going bad enough for Doug Parker, US Airways Chief Executive Officer, they just got worse. According to an AP article, Mr. Parker was arrested for DUI in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 31 after being stopped for driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. His arrest came mere hours after Delta Air Lines rejected his company's offer to purchase Delta for $9.8 billion.

Ouch!

DUI: Head-On Collision in San Mateo County

The Oakland Tribune has reported that the driver of a 2005 Subaru who crossed a double yellow line on Highway 92 in San Mateo County and collided head-on with a 2004 Infiniti may be charged with Felony DUI. The driver of the Infiniti suffered major injuries in the crash before being taken to Stanford University Medical Center for treatment.

DUI: Some People Just Don't Learn

In 1995, John Patterson (then 17) killed four of his friends while driving home drunk after a camping trip. According to an article in the Orange County Register, Patterson's blood alcohol level was .16, twice the state's legal limit when he lost control of his parents' SUV and wrecked. In addition to living with the memory of killing four of his friends, Patterson was required by the judge to post photographs of his four deceased friends in his room to remind him of what he had done. It apparently didn't work.

On Thanksgiving Day, 2006, Patterson was arrested again for DUI. This time his BAL was .27, more than three times the legal limit. On December 2, 2006, he was again arrested for DUI with a BAL of .11.

The obvious question to this story is "why has Patterson not learned his lesson." But a better question might be "why hasn't the judicial system put him away." What I'd really like to know is who is Patterson's DUI lawyer. He seems to be earning his keep.

California DUI Penalties

Check out this post on California DUI Penalties.