If you drive about 50 miles north of Denver you will come to Garden City, Colorado. It is there that a man was recently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence while he was behind the wheel of a lawnmower.
Law enforcement officials said the man was intoxicated as made his way down a busy street on a riding mower, stopping at various bars along the way.
A county sheriff’s department spokesperson said the 53-year-old man was so impaired that he “couldn’t stand on his own.” The driver later spoke by phone from the county jail to a Denver TV station reporter to plead his case, claiming that the arrest came as “a total shock” to him. He said he had not been bar hopping, as alleged, but was instead working and mowing.
The spokesperson was clear that the arrest was not a joke, and we agree. Those arrested on DUI charges need to understand that they face the possibilities of some very real, unpleasant punishments if convicted, including jail time, driver’s license suspension, required installation of an ignition interlock device, mandated attendance at alcohol education classes, fines and more.
While a court will determine this man’s case, it should be noted that he made perhaps a hasty choice as his story gained publicity. Many attorneys would prefer that their clients decline to speak not only to the media about the circumstances of their arrest, but to police investigators and prosecutors as well until after the client and attorney have had a chance to discuss the case and available legal options.
Source: CBS Denver, “DUI Suspect Pulled Over While Driving Lawnmower,” July 25, 2014