KSL News reported that Kevin Johnston, 27, was arrested over the weekend for driving while intoxicated. In fact, he had almost 5 times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood stream. His blood alcohol level was .36%, the legal limit in Utah being .08%. “Police said that much alcohol could be deadly.”
When police arrived on the scene, they found Johnston in the middle of Creek Road, passed out. He had apparently left his vehicle after it’s engine had stalled, lost control of his balance and knocked himself out after hitting the pavement with his face.
The police also found packages of marijuana–“ready to sell”–in Johnston’s car, an open container of beer, a drug pipe, and a medication bottle with a false bottom, ready to conceal illicit material.
Johnston has a lengthy police record, including two prior DUI charges and drug related charges. Since this is his third DUI charge, officers arrested him for a felony, not merely a misdemeanor.
Although no one was injured except Johnston himself, the situation presented could have been much worse. Setting aside the drugs, driving while intoxicated is very dangerous. According to the Century Council, there were over 10,000 DUI-related deaths in 2010 alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that teens and motorcyclists are most at risk for driving while intoxicated.
Driving while intoxicated is very serious. The consequences could be as dramatic as killing someone or yourself. At the least, the loss of a driver’s licence and possible jail time could be imposed.
If you intend on drinking, make sure to take the proper steps to assure no one will be injured from you actions: arrange a taxi; get a sober friend to drive you home; take the bus; stay the night rather than travel home; etc.
If you have been injured due to someone’s negligence, call Christensen & Hymas now at 1-801-506-0800. We will make sure that you obtain all the compensation you deserve.