Wednesday, October 14, 2015

"Man in electric wheelchair arrested for DUI"

In his arrest report, police say Ronny Hicks appeared highly intoxicated, because his speech was slurred speech and he was acting confused. Since he was also operating a motorized wheelchair, the 54-year-old man was arrested for driving under the influence. Police say Hicks, from Palm Bay, was allegedly blocking the path on a pedestrian bridge inside a park near Margaret and Helen streets in Palm Bay. Police were called because of complaints.
During his first appearance before a judge, the judge approved the maximum $5000 bond, because it was allegedly Hicks third DUI in ten years. But DUI attorney Jason Hicks, no relation, says although the arrest is within the letter of the law, it would be tough to get a conviction for DUI in a wheelchair if it goes before a jury.
You think by the 3rd time, they have a breathalyzer wheelchair lock mechanism by then ;)

2 comments:

Methadras said...

If your only source of mobility is a wheelchair can you be DUI'ed? If you were walking in public while intoxicated, is that (Cue Ron White) Drunk In Public? Driving I can see, but wheelchair?

deborah said...

I think I deleted it from my phone, but I once to a pic of a man in an electric wheelchair, in the turn lane emptying onto a main drag, leaving a Walmart.