One man in Colorado was recently arrested on charges of driving under the influence. The arrest followed a crash that took place on a Sunday night. Officials said that if he is convicted, this will be his eighth criminal conviction related to DUI/DUID/DWAI.
Police said they first tried to make contact with the 57-year-old man after they received word that he was possibly drinking and driving shortly before 7:20 p.m. Authorities said that when they found him, he fled and nearly struck two automobiles, along with a deputy’s vehicle. Police pursued him, but he ignored sirens and overhead lights. The police then apparently terminated the chase.
A ranger with the Bureau of Land Management later discovered the man’s vehicle in a ditch. Authorities said the man smelled of alcohol, looked unsteady and had slurred speech. The man now faces several charges, including DUI, eluding police, felony aggravated driving while having a revoked driver’s license, violating an order of protection and violating bail-bond conditions. Officials said he was serving probation in connection with a trespassing-related conviction in 2011. He was arrested for DUI and convicted of DWAI multiple times throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Prosecutors in Colorado have the burden of proving the man’s charges related to DUI/DUID/DWAI beyond a reasonable doubt. If this does not happen, no conviction can be secured in his case. This standard is in place in order to protect innocent individuals from being found guilty of crimes they did not commit. Anyone accused of drinking and driving has the right to vigorously defend him or herself against the charges.
Source: gjsentinel.com, “8th DUI results in $25,000 cash bond”, Paul Shockley, June 9, 2015