HELP PREVENT DRUNK DRIVING: Witnesses and police prevent man from driving scooter while seriously impaired… [Field sobriety test video]
HYANNIS – Police were called to the Cumberland Farms on West Main Street last night after witnesses observed a man stumbling around the parking lot and apparently about to get onto his motor scooter.
Police quickly responded and stopped the 60-year-old man just as he appeared to be putting his helmet on and about to ride.
A record check revealed the Hyannis man also had a revoked driver’s license.
An officer began speaking with the man and could smell alcoholic beverages emanating from his breath. He had glossy eyes and was unsteady on his feet.
The officer administered several field sobriety tests and it was obvious the man was seriously impaired. Aside from being in no condition to drive, the man was wearing sandals, which could have only made things worse for this individual if there was some type of accident.
The man reportedly admitted to having just been drinking at the Duck Inn Pub.
The 60-year-old Hyannis man was taken into protective custody and transported back to BPD Headquarters. Thankfully witnesses and the officer intervened right away BEFORE the man could drive away. Because of this, they very likely prevented an accident and injuries.
The officer was unable, however, to charge the suspect with OUI and driving with a revoked license because he did not actually observe the man riding the scooter. Some would argue he could have waited to observe the man driving, but that would have put the impaired driver and public in danger in this case. The patrolman did the right thing by immediately stepping in and preventing a dangerous situation.
The witnesses also did the correct thing by immediately notifying police with a clear description and location of the suspected drunk driver.
The public plays an important role in preventing serious accidents by safely reporting obvious signs of drunk driving to police.
The following video highlights the officer intervening before the man could drive. It shows most of the field sobriety tests and obviously illustrates why it is so important to step in to prevent drunks from hitting the roadway. [Press play]
8/30/2014
Robert Bastille,
