Man Arrested for 22nd Drunk Driving offense in New mexico

JusBringIt · #1 08-26-2009, 09:51 PM

http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_13202182

ESPANOLA, N.M.—Police said a man was arrested on Monday for his 22nd drunken driving offense—and his blood-alcohol content tested almost five times higher than New Mexico's legal limit. State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said an officer pulled up to a car parked along a highway and found a 51-year-old man on the ground near his vehicle.

"He was coherent," Garcia said. "He showed signs of slurred speech, as might be normal for any DWI arrest, which led the officer to believe he might be driving under the influence."

xcel · #2 08-26-2009, 09:58 PM

Hi Ricardo:

___Holy smokes!!!

___This is the kind of person that has no business behind the wheel of a vehicle for the rest of his life. Take the car. He drives another, take it too until he runs out of funds to keep driving.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

ILAveo · #3 08-26-2009, 10:15 PM

I'm going a little off topic here, but the article makes it sound like the officer did not actually see him in the vehicle in this instance. I'm not sure that being found drunk near a car should be grounds for a drunken driving conviction. I suspect that relevant details were omitted from the article.

NiHaoMike · #4 08-26-2009, 10:38 PM

The interesting part is that he somehow managed to stop safely instead of crashing...

I think the solution is to let him have as much ethanol as he wants in jail. Let ethanol poisoning take over. Maybe a mix of ethanol and methanol instead to speed the process.

Chuck · #5 08-26-2009, 10:48 PM

A BAC of .393

Honestly, how can someone be conscious and drive at that point?

In the early 90's New Mexico had the dubious distinction of #1 in DUIs - since doing one thing, they are in the bottom 10.

Know what it is?

Elixer · #6 08-27-2009, 12:08 AM

My Home State! Wonder if it was on the infamous State Road 502, which for a while was known for having the highest per capita rate of drunken drivers in the US. In New Mexico they've been really stepping up advertisement against drunken driving, in addition to changes made to the laws. Bill Richardson can take a lot of credit for the reduction.

In this case the man will probably get out of the charge, as it will be hard to prove that he was actually driving. However his other pending cases are likely to result in a conviction.

SentraSE-R · #7 08-27-2009, 12:24 AM

According to this website, a first DWI conviction in New Mexico gets you a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail, be ordered to attend a DWI school, and be ordered to attend a driver's rehab program for alcohol or drugs. You'll also participate in a an alcohol or drug screening program at your expense, and pay for an ignition interlock device at your own expense.

A second conviction gets you a mandatory 96 hours in jail and a $500 fine, 48 hours of community service, participation in an alcohol or drug screening program at your own expense, and must complete a 28 day substance abuse program. You'll be ordered to obtain an ignition interlock driver's license and install an ignition interlock on your car at your expense. The court can add up to 360 days in jail and another $500 fine.

A third conviction gets you a mandatory 30 days in jail and a $750 fine. You have to complete a 90 day rehab program, get the ignition interlock dl and device. The court can add another 334 days and $250.

Nothing seems to work to stop this habitual offender. The law should allow for confiscation of his car and a longer jail term.

worthywads · #8 08-27-2009, 12:27 AM

And the 4th through 22nd have no penalty? this guy must be very old or the judges believe in drunk driving.

ILAveo · #9 08-27-2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worthywads

And the 4th through 22nd have no penalty? this guy must be very old or the judges believe in drunk driving.

Five pending charges in NM, 16 from other jurisdictions over an unspecified time period. Multiple arrest warrants were served. The pending charges ilustrate a need for a vehicle seizure law? The interjurisdictional problem indicates a need for effective "reciprocity" between states?

JusBringIt · #10 08-27-2009, 08:49 AM

It is preposterous that he was allowed to get to such an outrageous number. As a driver you take on the responsibility of those around you while driving. Obviously this man cannot accept that responsibility. They didn't mention whether or not his license was good at the time, however there should be no more driving privileges...