Thursday Police Report: Don't Drink and Drive

The two most interesting reports in today's Northern Light involve, as you might have guessed by the title, DUI charges. I know I usually come up with some sort of clever title for these posts, but I think this one most clearly captures the theme of today's reports.

Fortunately, no one involved in any of these cases was seriously injured.

The first report occurred on Thursday, October 21. While on patrol, a Blaine police officer spotted a car weaving back and forth across both lanes while driving north on Peace Portal Drive in downtown Blaine. The officer pulled the car over and initiated a rather interesting discussion with the driver.

In response to the officer's question on why the driver was weaving across both lanes, the driver replied, "Because I'm buzzed." When asked how much he had had to drink, the young man answered, "A lot." Both clearly the best answers to any such questions from police.

The officer conducted a roadside sobriety test on the man and confirmed he was telling the truth about his condition. The 21-year-old Lynden resident was released to his parents after being charged with driving under the influence.

The second report happened on Friday, October 22, not far from the Blaine high school football game. On Friday evening officers responded to a call about someone who appeared to be injured lying in the middle of Boblett Street near the Blaine primary school. Blaine police arrived and found an 18-year-old being tended to by his friends. After some interviews, officers gained a more complete understanding of what had transpired.

Apparently, the teen lying in the street had been hanging out the front passenger window of his friend's car attempting to fix the antenna. He fell out when his friend lost his grip on his feet. Now, this would not generally be considered a bad idea if it weren't for two things: the driver appeared to be intoxicated, and the car was moving.

The driver let go of his friend's feet to avoid hitting a quickly approaching power pole. The car avoided the solid hunk of wood, but apparently the amateur antenna repairman did not. After the injured teen was taken to the hospital, the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, and the third 18-year-old passenger was arrested on suspicion of being a minor in possession of alcohol. Similar charges are apparently awaiting the injured teen's release from the hospital.

So, as if there weren't millions of other reasons to avoid the pastime: don't drink and drive.