When police in Kentucky pull over a suspected drunk driver, they often have to work off of clues smaller than a tree sticking out of someone’s car. An officer in Illinois, however, received just such a big tip from a concerned motorist. He then located a woman driving a Lincoln Town Car with a 15-foot tree lodged in the grill.
According to the police report, the officer also saw that the airbags in the vehicle had been activated. During the traffic stop, the officer noted the smell of alcohol. The female driver acknowledged that she had hit a tree and said that the incident occurred in a neighboring town. She could not specify the exact location. After the officer evaluated her sobriety at the scene, she was arrested for drunk driving. The police department later shared images of the tree sticking out of the car on Facebook. The photos impressed many viewers and gained thousands of shares.
Since the penalties for a drunk driving conviction in Kentucky can be severe, those who have been charged may find it advisable to obtain the assistance of an attorney as soon as possible. Legal counsel could begin by examining the exact charges and explaining what the sanctions could be. The decision to plead guilty or not guilty would be another step, and an attorney could provide advice about the pros and cons of either choice.
A potential DUI defense strategy might also include negotiations with a prosecutor. For example, f it was a first offense, the prosecutor might agree to the successful completion of alcohol abuse classes and community service in lieu of fines or incarceration.
Source: FOX News, “Cops catch drunk driver thanks to 15-foot tree on front of car”, March 7, 2016
