DUI loophole…

Inhaling chemicals and driving is on the rise, and prosecutors and lawmakers are racing to close a loophole in DUI laws after learning “huffing” isn’t covered. (AP Photo)
zoom Getting high and driving is against the law, right? Not necessarily. Lawmakers are racing to close a loophole in DUI laws after discovering a growing problem with people inhaling chemicals commonly known as “huffing” and then getting behind the wheel.
“Literally, people are in their car and huffing while they’re driving and it impairs you,” says Amy Freedheim, King County’s Senior Deputy Prosecutor who oversees DUI prosecutions in the county.

There’s been a significant increase overall in the use of inhalants ranging from gasoline, to glue to paint, especially among 12 to 17-year-olds, says Freedheim. And she says, as cops and prosecutors started seeing more and more problems, they discovered current DUI laws don’t prohibit huffing of legal substances.

“It turns out in the definition of drugs in Washington state, it’s confined to drugs that are created for human consumption,” Freedheim says. So getting high on chemicals like paint thinner, not created for human consumption, are exempted.

The high produced by inhaling the chemicals is compared to a stimulant, euphoric effect, according to Freedheim. But she says it is difficult for cops to detect when they stop an erratic driver.

“You don’t see any evidence of other drug use, but you see that the person is impaired.”

A new measure overhauling DUI laws recently passed by the Washington House would close the loophole to include ingesting any chemical legal or not with the intent of getting high. And evidence can include “possession of [a] canister or container” known for being used to get high, like a bag with spray paint inside.

Seattle SPD Sgt.DUI!

Star Trek actor arrested for DUI

“Star Trek” star Avery Brooks was busted for DUI .

63-year-old Brooks — who played Benjamin Sisko on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” — was arrested Sunday in Wilton, Connecticut after someone complained he was driving erratically.

DUI arrest for 49er…

 

MIAMI (AP)

See the best San Francisco 49ers action, or check out your favorite NFL team here.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was charged Saturday with driving under the influence in Miami Beach.

Miami-Dade County jail records show Smith was booked Saturday morning and held on $1,000 bond. Jail records did not show whether Smith was represented by an attorney.

A Miami-Dade County Corrections spokeswoman said Smith was arrested by Miami Beach police. A police spokesman said he had no information immediately available about the arrest.

Smith was drafted as the seventh overall draft pick in 2011. During his first season, he had 14 sacks, a franchise record for a rookie linebacker. He also ranked first in the NFL in sacks among rookies.

The 49ers said in a statement Saturday that they were aware of the arrest.

”We take these issues very seriously, but will reserve further comment at this time, as this is an ongoing legal matter,” the team said. ”The 49ers will continue to gather the facts and monitor the developments closely.”

Former Miss USA charged with DUI!

 

The Michigan beauty queen who made history two years ago by becoming the first Arab-American crowned Miss USA has since been dealing with some legal woes.

Last year, Rima Fakih faced unflattering headlines when she was arrested for drunk driving in Detroit’s Highland Park. And although the brunette beauty had been giving everyone the silent treatment about what the deal was with her DUI charges and upcoming court date, she has now changed her mind and decided to discuss her recent situation with E! News.

MORE: Ex-Miss USA Rima Fakih Gives Silent Treatment at DUI Court Date

“I went out with some old friends and we were having fun. A couple of them were very intoxicated. When I went to leave, I refused to let them drive. So when I got pulled over, I was the driver. The police said that I said I was Miss USA. I don’t even tell the TSA at the airport who I am so why would I say that to the police? It was upsetting to me what the police were doing. I do like to have fun [but] I don’t need alcohol to have fun,” Fakih said.

Fakih said authorities were “nice at first” despite her driving a drunk friend’s car. However, when they discovered a bottle in the back of the car, they asked Fakih to step out and get on the sidewalk.

“I have a clean record, always been an honor student,” she said. “I was very embarrassed and scared. I told the cops please just make sure that my friend gets home safe. He was highly intoxicated.”

MORE: Miss USA + DUI + Missing Tweet = Big Headache for Ex-Beauty Queen Rima Fakih

PlayConrad Murray Receives Maximum Sentence

Fakih tells us that after the arrest, she did send out a tweet on Twitter saying, “Let’s clear things up now. … I’m NOT in Michigan and I’m NOT in jail! Wrong Fakih.” But the tweets were removed soon after.

“I was afraid for my family and that this [the news of the arrest] could get to my family,” Fakih said, explaining her false denial at the time. “It’s a little tough when you have to think about your family. They’re so proud of me, always have my back.”

“It was a bad idea but it’s too late anyway. It was everywhere in minutes. I apologize for that.”

MORE: Miss Michigan Nabs the 2010 Miss USA Crown

According to police reports, on Dec. 3, 2011, Fakih was allegedly driving 60 mph in a 30 mph zone and weaving in and out of traffic before they pulled her over. Officers reportedly found an open bottle of champagne behind the driver’s seat of the 2011 Jaguar.

Fakih appeared in court Wednesday in Highland Park to face the drunk driving charge and was told by the judge that a bench trial was set for March 13. She reportedly faces up to 93 days in prison if convicted, as well as court fees and fines.

Following her appearance in court, Rima tweeted, “They say “expect the worse.” I say “Expect the best and even better will happen.”

“I am ready to get it over with,” Fakih said about the trial. “I wanted it to be handled this week but it wasn’t. The judge is being extra hard on me, but I understand there are a lot of people looking up to me. I’m the type that doesn’t mind challenges but I do want to be treated like a person.”

Fakih thanked everyone for being supportive and “for anyone that is upset or sees me as a bad person, don’t judge a book by its cover. Look deep inside and see I am a good person and I will always keep making them proud.”

 

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/former_miss_usa_rima_fakih_talks_dui/288218#ixzz1kliU2LJs

Oral Roberts son arrested for DUI!

I passed by this University many a time while going to law school in Tulsa.

 

The son of late evangelist Oral Roberts and former president of Oral Roberts University was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding, authorities said.

Richard Roberts, 63, was stopped by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol just after midnight after a trooper observed him traveling at about 93 mph on a turnpike in his Mercedes-Benz sedan, according to an arrest report. The speed limit on the road is 65 mph, the report said.

The trooper “detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage about Roberts’ breath and person,” the report said, and Roberts failed field sobriety tests.

Roberts consented to a breath test, which showed his blood alcohol level at .11%, higher than the .08% limit for legal intoxication.

He was booked into the Tulsa County Jail. CNN affiliate KOTV in Tulsa said he posted bond and was released a few hours later.

Roberts was president of Oral Roberts University until 2007. Oral Roberts died in 2009.

Roberts appears on the television show “The Place for Miracles: Your Hour of Healing,” according to the Oral Roberts Ministries website.

“Our prayers go out to Richard and Lindsay Roberts and their entire family as they face this life challenge,” said Jeremy Burton, spokesman for Oral Roberts University. “May God’s grace help them as they work toward healing.”

Spike Strips Used to Stop Alleged Hit and Run Driver in Idaho

MERIDIAN — A Meridian man is facing felony charges after a hit-and-run accident on Eagle Road Monday led to a police pursuit on Interstate 84, that finally ended when police deployed spike strips to stop the man’s truck.

According to Meridian Police, it all started around 9:30 a.m.  The driver of a silver 2005 Nissan pickup truck was southbound on Eagle Road near Fairview Avenue, when he crossed the centerline and hit a Chrysler 300 head-on, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.

Police say the driver, later identified as Stephen Sullivan, 54, of Meridian, failed to stop and continued toward the interstate. A Meridian Police officer in an unmarked patrol car spotted the truck heading eastbound on I-84 near Eagle Road. At that point, the officer followed the truck with lights and sirens on. Sullivan failed to stop and his truck drifted into the unmarked patrol car, causing some slight damage to the vehicle.

Boise Police assisted in the pursuit by deploying spike strips at I-84 and Cole Road. Sullivan’s truck hit the spikes and then veered into jersey barriers, striking several construction signs. The truck finally came to a stop at I-84 and Orchard Street.

Police arrested Sullivan on felony charges of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and eluding a police officer.  He is believed to have been under the influence of prescription narcotics.

Sullivan was booked into the Ada County Jail.

An alleged DUI driver who went 100mph in wrong direction…

 

TUMWATER, Wash. — A woman who troopers say was “highly intoxicated” drove for 17 miles going the wrong way on Interstate 5 before she was finally stopped by troopers using spike strips early Tuesday.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Guy Gill said the 60-year-old woman got on I-5 near Tumwater going north in the southbound lanes.

Troopers followed her from the northbound lanes and tried flashing spotlights at her, but she didn’t stop.

“At times she was reaching speeds over 100 mph,” Gill said.

Troopers shut down the southbound lanes of I-5 in Tacoma to keep more drivers from heading into the woman’s path. They then placed spike strips along the freeway near the main gate of Joint Base Lewis-McChord to bring the woman’s car to a stop.

“We had several near-miss head-on collisions,” Gill said. “It’s amazing that we didn’t have a collision at some point. Obviously no one going southbound is going to expect to see a vehicle coming northbound in their lane.”

The woman was arrested for investigation of DUI and several other charges.

“She probably had no idea what was going on,” Gill said.

Vehicular Homicide will be charged here..undoubtedly

http://www.nwcn.com/news/Boy-killed-in-OR-3-car-wreck-driver-arrested-136943053.html

 

Prosecutor’s want tougher penalties for those convicted of DUI…

Nabila Lacey’s voice shook as she spoke about her husband. She fought back the tears as she struggled to put his loss into words.

“Steve was everything. He was kind. He was gentle. He was humble. He was brilliant,” she recalled. “My children are suffering. They spent the holidays wishing for the one gift they couldn’t have, and that was to have the most wonderful father back in their lives.”

Steve Lacey was killed by a drunk driver in Kirkland on July 24. Police say the respected software engineer and Google developer was killed instantly when an intoxicated Patrick Rexroat slammed into his vehicle near I-405. His blood alcohol content was .29, three and a half times the legal limit.

Rexroat is now awaiting trial for vehicular homicide, a charge that under current sentencing guidelines carries a penalty of just 31 to 41 months in prison.

“As prosecutors, one of the most difficult things we ever have to do is explain to the families of victims why a sentence doesn’t feel like justice,” said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “Our current sentences for drunk drivers who kill do not feel like justice. They feel like a slap on the wrist.”

That’s why Lindquist, along with King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, asked the state legislature Wednesday to more than double the penalty for vehicular homicide while driving under the influence. The proposal would raise the standard sentencing range to 78 to 102 months, making it equal to that of first degree manslaughter.

“This is the natural evolution of a cultural shift where drunk driving is not funny, drunk driving is not OK, it’s not tolerated,” Satterberg said. “Drunk drivers who kill must receive the full weight of the law.”

Wednesday’s proposal would also increase the sentencing ranges for vehicular homicide caused by reckless driving and disregard for the safety of others. The penalty for vehicular assault would also go up.

Satterberg said he hopes the legislature will put aside budget concerns long enough to pass the bill, which he called his office’s top legislative priority.