A tractor-trailer driver in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, earned a DWI last week after police discovered he was operating the machinery while under the influence of alcohol.
If you’re working your fields or mowing your lawn after having a couple of beers, you’re probably not going to run into any trouble with the law so long as you handle your business on your own property. However, if you involve other people or need to access public roads, you’re just as likely to end up in trouble with the law as anyone else who is driving under the influence.
That’s the issue that a 33-year-old man learned last Monday evening. According to the police report, troopers were called to I-295 rest stop in Lower Makefield Township after getting reports of a possibly intoxicated person driving a tractor-trailer. Police arrived on scene and learned that the tractor-trailer driver was involved in a confrontation with another driver after that motorist claimed that his mirror was struck by the tractor.
DWI And Extra Charges
Police attempted to talk to the tractor-trailer driver, but he refused commands to exit the vehicle while talking on his phone. The driver repeatedly responded “For what? I am not doing anything. I am not driving.” Officers noticed the strong smell of alcohol in the cab of the tractor-trailer, and when the driver began reaching inside the vehicle, he was forcibly removed from the tractor-trailer by three troopers. The driver was detained and exhibited clear signs of intoxication, as troopers noted that he swayed and appeared unsteady on his feet while he was being detained.
He was eventually arrested and charged with a slew of crimes, including:
- Driving under the influence
- Providing false identification to law enforcement
- Resisting arrest
- Filing false reports
- Disorderly conduct
He was listed at being held on 10 percent of $250,000 bail, meaning it’s likely that he’ll remain in custody until he is brought before a judge.
This situation shows how alcohol can turn a simple task into a major headache. If you need to operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle on public roads, make sure that you wait until the chores are done to consume alcohol. This farmer is about to reap what he sowed, and he isn’t going to like the harvest. Know that a DWI can happen whether you’re traveling 100 miles or just up the road, so don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.
And as always, if you need help contesting a drunk driving charge or a similar criminal matter, we hope that you’ll connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm. To set up a free case review session, give Appelman Law Firm a call today at (952) 224-2277.
