At about 4 p.m. on Jan. 2, a 65-year-old man rear-ended a Jeep with his vehicle while on the 5th Avenue eastbound service road in Youngstown. Police said that the Jeep was stopped at a red light at the time of the accident. When an officer made contact with the man, he was reportedly slurring his speech and had trouble walking and standing. There was also a strong smell of alcohol coming from the individual.
Officers asked the man to engage in field sobriety tests. However, the man allegedly resisted by removing articles of clothing and using racial slurs toward the officer. Authorities said that the driver also offered the officer $30 in an attempt to get out of possible charges. Eventually, the man was taken to Mahoning County Jail on drunk driving and bribery charges. Three people in the vehicle that the man hit were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Those who operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol may face numerous negative consequences. For instance, a driver may cause an accident that results in a person being injured or killed. If that happens, the offender could be liable for any medical bills or other damages the victim incurs. Furthermore, it is possible to be taken into custody for driving under the influence.
If a motorist is charged with a DUI, he or she could face jail time, a fine or community service. An attorney may be able to review the evidence in an effort to negotiate a plea or win an acquittal. In some cases, evidence such as witness testimony or the results of a Breathalyzer test may be suppressed. This could work in a defendant’s favor.
