It was a DUI offense with a difference in North Dakota when a man was arrested for drinking and driving a Zamboni during a high school ice hockey game at South Sports Arena in Fargo.
The ice resurfacer was seen weaving through the ice and hitting scoreboards. The driver who was a part-time employee of North Dakota Parks District was fired by his employers. 27 year old man Steve Anderson was charged with DUI by the authorities.
The recreation director for the district said that he was relieved that no one was on the ice rink at the same time. Clay Whittlesey, the Park Director, said he was relieved no one was hurt, alleging that Anderson secretly brought alcohol to work.
North Dakota lawmaker introduces bill in a bid to tighten DUI laws
In an effort to make DUI related correction programs more viable, North Dakota lawmakers have proposed a bill to allow ignition interlock devices to be installed in the vehicle of DUI offenders.
The bill introduced by Rep. Andrew Maragos from Minot was heard by the House Transportation Committee. If approved, the bill will provide DUI offenders a choice between the 24/7 sobriety program and having an ignition interlock installed. The bill will empower the attorney general to allow drivers to install an ignition interlock device if they have been convicted of DUI, are enrolled in a 24/7 sobriety program and have procured a restricted driver’s license.
House Rep. Maragos says that the bill was introduced to provide relief to those who are not in the 24/7 sobriety program and need a driver’s license. He cited the case of a man who was born in ND, moved to Colorado where he was charged with DUI and then moved back to North Dakota. The man concerned needed a driver’s license for his business but was unable to get one. Colorado does not recognize the 24/7 sobriety program and the only way for him to get a license would be by having an interlock device installed in his car.
Maragos also says the device is currently the least expensive program for DUI offenders, costing $70 per month and payable by the offender. According to Grand Forks and Fargo DUI attorneys, this could lead to a reduction in the number of fatalities in road accidents.
Hit and run DUI offender resists arrest; Fargo police use stun gun
Fargo police recently had to deal with a Belcourt who was driving under the influence with a taser. The police responded to reports of a hit and run at the intersection of 10th Street and 4th Ave North where the man responsible for the accident who was driving in an inebriated state fled the scene of the accident. The vehicle was finally tracked and the driver made to pull over. However, 46 year Jarrod Lilley struggled and resisted arrest until the police were compelled to bring him under their control with a stun gun.
Better than a real gun or beating on someone
Following his arrest, he was taken to the hospital to check for injuries from the accident and then transported to jail. The Fargo PD has defended their use of a stun gun, reiterating that that the taser is used only in rare cases when someone does not know how to act and is a threat to officer safety. According to Fargo DUI attorneys, resisting arrest is a crime that can be classified as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the severity of the case.
Felony charges stem from any attempt by a suspect to act or threaten to act violently against the arresting officer. On the other hand, a misdemeanor charge may include actions such as attempting to run away or hide from law enforcement.
