North Pole man arrested for DUI on lawn mower
Published Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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Stumble It!NORTH POLE — A North Pole man is accused of driving a riding lawn mower over several yards while intoxicated and then trying to elude police.
Wyatt Lewis, 20, has been charged with driving under the influence and failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer.
Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday morning, Alaska State Troopers were called to Garnett Drive in North Pole about an intoxicated man driving a red Craftsman riding mower over several people’s lawns.
When troopers spotted Lewis, they put on their emergency lights and sirens, but he allegedly led them on a brief pursuit for approximately 200 feet at speed of about 5 mph. As Lewis turned into a backyard on the street, the trooper exited his vehicle and finally got Lewis to stop, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.
Lewis admitted to drinking a few beers and said he did not hear the patrol car’s sirens, according to the complaint. A chemical test found his breath-alcohol content to be 0.184, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 to operate a motor vehicle.
While it is not very common for someone on a riding lawnmower to be charged with driving under the influence, it’s not outside the statute.
“Basically, the law says you’re not authorized to operate any motorized vehicle after drinking,” Trooper Charles Inderrieden said, noting it usually only extends beyond motorists to pilots and boaters.
Community Discussion
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Lucky no one was hurt in that high speed chase.
George Jones is in North Pole?
This is almost as good as the "pee in the sugar" guy.
doesnt beat the airboat going down airport way!!!!!!!
i can see now free beer for exchange in cutting a fellows lawn can get you a nights rest in local hotel
It does show just how petty the law can be at times. Seems like instead of battering the poor guy on a DUI, they could have just got him on a disorderly conduct or some other lesser offense.
I guess they get more bonus miles for each DUI arrest they make or something. We can all feel a little safer on our lawns tonight.
Thanks guys.
Damn cops. Don't they know the Sound of Freedom when they hear it?
I'm just glad no miniature gnomes or sprinkler heads were hurt.
This isn't the first time this has happened
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7eZQ1joBegg
Hilarious.
Just goes to show you what the price of gas has driven people to drive.
And we have a shortage of law enforcement??
There is nothing about the disorderly conduct law that fits what he did. The cops can't just make up the laws as they go along.
Mowing the lawn at 1:30am? Not exactly a sober decision to begin with I think.
Frankie and the airboat! Now that was a moving violation and a thing of beauty to see. Only in Fairbanks!
Punishment should fit the crime! Say a summers worth of lawn mowing for the lawns in question while drinking sugar free flavored water.
nice clip BMJ!
DUI seems harsh, but I don't know if it actually is. It's a misdemeanor, won't have significant jail time, but may come with some mandatory alcohol treatment that is obviously what this guy needs. Charge him with disturbing the peace or something and it won't do anything to force him to work out his problems. I think the Trooper did the best job possible at serving the public as well as tackling this guy's problem. Regardless, he needed to go to jail, and the prosecutor will probably drop or reduce charges anyway. That seems to be the specialty of most prosecutors anyway.
North Pole’s 13 cops must have been busy in Fairbanks or hauling their nights catch to FCC so they had to call the troopers in for an assist on this dangerous bust. It might make a North Pole Taxpayer wonder where their money is spent.
Hopefully this will be thrown out of court....how stupid.
chelly "the cops can't just make up the laws as they go along" they may not be able to make them up but they can sure stretch the limits of existing ones. Dude shouldn't have been driving at 130 am, but cmon it was a lawnmower not a airboat the only harm done was to some suspicious tall grass
Way to go North Pole, yet again you made the FARK head lines. I say beer for everyone, and lets have a lawn mower parade.
glad to see all crime is solved in Fairbanks area,
Maybe can send home about 100 cops with a fireman under each arm and save some tax dollars...
This is funny. However I think a DWI is way to harsh. I read alot about an airboat on Airport Way and was wondering where can I read about that. I did not hear about.
Good thing nothing got mowed down. Next they'll get him for operating a lawn mover without insurance. Wonder if he had operational turn signals and tail lights. Was he wearing a seat belt. Did it have a current IM sticker. How about not having plates. Can see it now, ten years in jail for multiple vehicle violations. People will demand breathlizers on the movers. The borough assembly will want funds to develop lawn mover paths. A whole new branch of government can be developed to address the public use of lawn movers. Politicians can run on the slogan " I will protect your lawn mover rights. " The ACLU will take it to the Supreme Court." Justs blows one's mind what this can turn into.
should be dropped to a misdemeaner so it does not ruin this kids life.
Not as serious as driving a truck or car on the highway.
I think that sucks, what happens if this kid has a DUI charge comeback to haunt him later and all it really was was a lawn mower! That cop is not impartially upholding the law, he is asking the court to address an issue that he full on knows falls into an area of grey calling for a jury trial. I thought that the whole idea behind a motorized vehicle was that because it was motorized or bigger it could kill someone if in an accident making it a deadly weapon. A lawnmower? 5 miles an hour? Stopped the car and walked up on him because he was running away? Is the arresting officer over 21 and if so, where is his common sense? Isnt having common sense a pre requisite for being an officer any more? (That was rhetorical)
Was the lawnmower searched for guns and drugs? Did it get hauled to impound?
discretion should have been used here no sense of ruining a young mans life for something so trivial. sure its a nuesance but lets be real for goodness sakes.
Kids let this be a lesson, underage drinking and lawn mowers don't mix... Maybe he was just practicing for the North Pole parade?
If the lawn mower's blades were turning could he have been charged with aggravated assault on the lawns he rode over in addition to the DUI?
Obviously incompetent to stand trial.
i really hope they lower the charge to disorderly conduct or such. it would seem at face value that this kid might have trouble with alcohol and should get some attention for that. but this "crime" may fit the letter of the law (operating a motor vehicle while impaired), it doesn't fit the spirit of the law. if i'm on the jury, i'm not convicting this kid of drunk driving. the spirit of the law says to me that the person committing the crime has to be a danger to himself and others out on the road. i can see that on a 4 wheeler or a snowmachine or even an airboat, but not on a lawn mower.
sure is a funny story though lol. this kid won't be able to ever live this one down. i wonder if the national news will pick this one up?
Incompetent to stand trial?
"the spirit of the law says to me that the person committing the crime has to be a danger to himself and others out on the road"
And what if this person riding the lawnmower had run into, or perhaps over, you or your pet? Would you feel differently then?
anyone is welcome to come mow our lawn.
pinksocks
How is it possible to run over anything bigger than a gerbil with a lawnmower? Maybe a homeless chronic inebriate passed on a lawn may be in some danger.
Please reread ths story
"Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday morning, Alaska State Troopers were called to Garnett Drive in North Pole "
No where does it mention North Pole Cops. North Pole does not have 13 Cops on duty at any time. Do they even have 13 in the Department?
Also, someone called. Its not like the Trooper was waiting at the end of the street for a dumb ass to drive out on his lawn tractor.
As for the DUI law.
No where does it say that the law only applies if you put someone at risk. That is the most asnine thing I have heard.
As a society we need to change how we feel about people who drink and then get behind a wheel. Too often the attitude is oh, poor guy he got caught or that damn cop just hangs out at the bar looking for someone who had one too many. Be responsible and you dont have to worry.
Lets see, Alaska - 24 hours of daylight - 1:30am out on mower happens. Mower not a registered vehicle and not required. Insurance on said means of riding, failure to show proof of insurance, proof of license. Not on public road way, but lawns. Pursuit of 5 mph of about 200 feet - was speed limit posted for lawns been established? I remember a case in the interior of one being arrested for DUI while riding his bicycle down the road. It wasn't motorized, well the guy did all the pedaling. Mowers are not considered motorized vehicles now are they? Crazy............all in how the law is interpeted.
I agree that this seems silly in the light of day, but there is one thing that all of you cheap shot artists need to remember when you are sucker punching law enforcement.
SOMEBODY CALLED THE COPS ON THIS GUY. I doubt very seriously that a trooper just happened on the scene. Somebody decided that a drunk guy on a lawnmower was worth calling the police about.
I have no answer for the anticipated stories about how readers called the police and nobody showed up. That doesn't change that somebody probably called the cops on a drunk guy on a lawnmower.
BenEFits-
And if the same person called because someone stole his lawnmower he would be told to come in the next morning and file a report!!!
What is wrong with you people? This "poor young man" was drunk, trespassing on others property, and enough of a nuisance that neighbors had to call the police. There are a number of families with young children on Garnet and this type of behavior is not acceptable and needs to be punished. If this was my property and some idiot was riding a lawn mower through it (possibly damaging something) at 1:30 am, heck yes I would call the police! Tolerating or dismissing this behavior compromises society and decent average families who want to create a peaceful environment for their kids. All of you who think he's some sort of victim at the hands of the overzealous police show where your morals are. I'm sure the people who had to call the police aren't so sympathetic to this guy.
i've read of DUI's on bicycle, wheelchair, horse back, 4-wheelers & snow machines. just add lawnmowers to the list.
i drove down south cushman today & avoiding the potholes, i was certain i was going to get pulled over for DUI.
Fairbanks...love it or leave---:)
yeah.... at 5mph, if i can't get out of the way of some guy on a lawn mower then I should be arrested for being a two toed sloth in public.(is that illegal?)
I agree with AKmom01. The guy was operating a motorized vehicle, the guy blew twice the legal limit, the guy is guilty of DUI. It doesn't git more simple than that. Nowhere in the DUI statutes does it say that you have to be on a "vehicular way or area" to be guilty of DUI -- by that definition the Chena River is not a "vehicular way or area" but you better believe people can (and should) get busted for DUI on the river.
Look, the bottom line is that this guy got drunk and did something stupid. And I don't care if he was going 5mph or 50 -- he was driving something with spinning blades on it while totally sloshed. He's lucky he didn't hit somebody's dog or kid, or even tip over after hitting the curb and slice himself up. The guy has a criminal history of minor consuming, so it's not like he had gotten a little too happy on his first sip of communion wine. The cavalier attitude many people seem to have about driving drunk is sad -- just because it sounds funny in the News-Miner doesn't mean you'd find it as hilarious if you woke up to find the guy tearing through your yard headed towards your kid's swingset. Leave that nonsense to George Jones and give the kid the wakeup call he obviously needs.
Sorry, but the stupid A$$ underage drinker gets what he deserves. The cop bashers on here would be going nuts if they didn't respond to the call and he got off his lawn mower and drove his car next. The kid has a problem and now he is going to have to face up to it and take care of it.
lol eluding the troopers at 5 mph!
He is a adult and made a adult decision to what he did. Luckily it was at night and rather the middle of the day when children are playing outside. And Garnet is not in the North Pole City limits.
Also, Burke, there's a reason why the law doesn't read "authorized to operate any 'licensed' motorized vehicle" (I'm assuming you mean any vehicle that you need to have a license to operate, rather than any vehicle you need to register with the DMV) -- you don't need a license while "driving or operating an off-highway vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, or other vehicle not designed for highway use." Do you really feel that it's totally okay for someone to drive a 4-wheeler, snowmachine, or jet boat while completely schlitzed? If so, wow...
Not agreeing with the law should not be an alibi for breaking it. The law, however it's stated, is the way it is for a reason. If the law is broken, responsibility needs to be accepted for it. That really is a problem with society today - so many people think the law doesn't apply to them, or shouldn't just because they don't agree with it. Several good points were made here - he could have gotten into someone's car, or he could have hurt himself - and I agree that many people would feel differently if it was their property he was driving around on in the middle of the night. Yes, a lawnmower may sound silly at first but a motorized vehicle is a motorized vehicle. When you start letting people get by with things like that, they and others could start pushing the limits until someone really could get hurt.
The trooper that pulled this guy over should have been out looking for my truck that was stolen over two weeks ago. So far the troopers have done nothing to help me but are willing to pull over this guy and press some serious charges on him. At 5mph I wow suprised you didn't get out of your fancy police car and tackle him or tazer him on the crazy 200 foot pursuit.
I'd be bummed if my truck got stolen too, but come on. It's not like the trooper was wandering about Garnett conducting his nightly preventative lawncare beat. What's he supposed to say when dispatch calls him about a drunk guy tearing up the neighborhood, "No can do, I have vowed not to rest until I find this one guy's truck what got stolen coupla weeks ago. So far as I know it may be in Wasilla, but so help me, the guy driving a bunch of whirling blades through somebody's property is gonna have to wait."
Is it possible for the cops to ever do something right?
I seriously doubt the blades were 'whirling'.
I wonder if they filmed it and it will appear on "COPS". Bad Boy, Bad Boy, what ya going to do, when the cops come after you.
I see it made Fox News.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,3708...
"i've read of DUI's on bicycle, wheelchair, horse back, 4-wheelers & snow machines. just add lawnmowers to the list."
When I was growing up in South Carolina it was not that uncommon for men -it was always men- to get DUIs on farm tractors. Usually they were being driven from the farm to the beer joint or vice versa.
I once watched a guy in Talkeetna get two DUIs in one bust. One was for the snow machine he got stuck next to the railroad tracks and the other one was for the pickup he got stuck ON the tracks trying to pull the snow machine out.
Just how do you get a DUI on a horse? It isn't mechanized and are you really operating it? What state was that in? How do you get from one place to another if you can't drive (DUI) you can't walk (public drunkenness) and you can't ride your lawnmower (again with the DUI) Why don't we just outlaw drinking, it work so well the first time.
Next time someone complains that your lawn needs mowing, you can point out where these lawn mowing type people end up. This sort of thing happens all the time on that documentary show “Reno 911” that shows on late night television.
okay rabblerabble more like babblebabble... well least they could do is keep in contact with me and let me know that they are at least keeping an eye out for it. I don't expect them to drop everything until they find my truck and I didn't say that either. But they could make more of an attempt to help instead of me tracking them down and when I finally talk to them they say "well we know it was there and then it was gone" ya think... hummm wonder why I called you to file a report in the first place. Ummm and the article said that he drove over several people's lawns don't remember it saying that "a bunch of whirling blades"
But thanks for your input smarty
Come mow my lawn,
I'll buy the beer.
What a bogus charge.
How lame to ruin a man's record over a lawnmower!
A little harsh.
Drop the charges Fairbanks-Have some decency.
Getreal -- I agree with you that they could probably keep in better contact with you after you reported it stolen, but s**t happens and it all boils down to a matter or priorities. I mean, really the only way they can find your truck is if they stumble across it while running a plate check or if it turns up abandoned in some parking lot. And honestly, the police can do a lot better in the way they deliver their "well, what can ya do" speech, but think about it this way...the only time the average joe deals with a cop is when something bad happens, either to them or by them. What might be a monumental interaction to you is most likely already forgotten by the cop, because they deal with that stuff day in and day out. So what seems like an offhanded remark to a cop can come across as uncaring snarkiness to someone who's always thought "if something bad happens, you call the cops and they fix it."
And no, the article didn't say "a bunch of whirling blades," but last time I checked, that's pretty much how a lawnmower works. Blades whirl (or spin, or rotate, or whatever verb makes you happy) and stuff gets cut. Usually grass, but when a drunk is involved, could just as easily be somebody's kid.
You know I got a DUI when I was about this kid's age and I assure you I deserved it more than this dude but here's the thing. Despite all of the dire predictions about the ruination of my future and how my record would follow me around forever- it just didn't pan out that way. Sure the state made about 10 grand from me once it was all over but beyond the financial hit and the hassle of not having a DL for a period of time things just weren't that bad. I still have a decent job and a family that loves me. I still drive. I still can afford to feed myself-for the time being anyways- and nothing I have ever wanted in life has been withheld from me simply because I drove a motorcycle home from a bar. As bad as this kid's day surely is today- his life is not over. There might even be a sliver lining in this cloud. Hopefully this conviction will stop him from dying in the desert procuring oil for the emperor and his gang of thieves.
Rabble-the blades only 'whirl' if you 'clutch' them in, which I doubt was the case.
He's lucky he didn't get shot, being in NP. He could have made a drunken charge at the trooper, who wouldn't of had time to dodge, flying at him at a scalding 5 mph, and been unassed with a 9mm. Remember the guy on the 4wheeler.
Seriously, call the cops, give him a minor consumption, lock up the mower, make him pay to get it back, let him sit in jail ONE night, and move on. Cops are rediculous.
What amazes me is how this kind of weird story gets more reactions than any other type of news story. I sense a correlation here -- maybe we can all just imagine ourselves on that Lawn Boy! OK, maybe not. But it's interesting to see -- 63 (!) responses and counting...
Oh and,
anything under 50cc and you're not supposed to be given a DUI. Wonder how many hp that mower was...be interesting to see.
Read the ADN's version, they wrote it up like a serious high speed chase, it's hilarious!
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/445...
babblebabble--- whatever you want to think, S**T does happen and incase you haven't read the paper lately allot of stuff is being stolen and clues are not being tracked they are just falling between the cracks of our system. I am sure that I am not the only one that is upset with our system.
I am not quite sure what somebodys kid would be doing out there laying on the lawn at 130 in the morning and the kid would have to be really really small like the size of a squirrel with no ability to move in order to get under the "bunch of whirling blades" of the riding lawn mower. I am sure at the high rate of speed the guy was going that a small child could have moved in time to save himself. I will still play with my infant child and other children out on the lawn cause I am sure we can all move faster then 5 mph. And it didn't say that he was riding it with the "bunches of whirling blades" actually in motion.
fishnhunter,
The guy on the 4wheeler was a real piece of work...remember he was the one who woke up one day and had this great idea of running the bulldozer into the side of FCC to "free" his buddies.
Good riddance.
Barney Fife strikes again. Lawnmower Man can count his blessings. The last time North Pole Police chased a four wheeler, they shot and killed him cause he wouldn't stop.(JULY 2005)!!!!!
Foxalaska - tell you the truth, I didn't know that. I guess that makes a little bit of difference in terms of how pissed off it makes me, but that still doesn't make it okay in my book. The guy should pay the same stupid tax as any other drunk caught behind the wheel, shouldn't matter if the wheel's attached to a Craftsman, Chris-Craft, or Chrysler.
fishnhunter, i don't know where you heard the 50cc rule, but it's not true. 'Sides, my weedwhacker is about 35cc, so I'm guessing the mower is way more than that.
I love how everyone is talking about responsibily like 'akmom'...Yeah the guys an idiot , but come-on. Let me ask you why your kids would be playing outside at 1:30 am, or your pets be left unattended in an unfenced yard at that hour. He could hurt someone more with a weed-whacker...at least it comes off the groud. He wasn't even on the road...Give the guy a break...the only thing he should be charged with is maybe destruction of property...or stupidity
I don't pretend to know how to do it but there definitely needs to be a charge for stupid.
DUI = DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
HE WAS DRIVING!
HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE!
he got what he deserved
you can choose what you do but you can't choose the consequence!
Would the charge be the same if it was a push lawn mower??? Still driving???
Just a thought!!!!
Thank you lucy for pointing that out...my gosh he could have even been more dangerous because he could probably push that mower even FASTER than 5 mph lol
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.d...
My cousin has a motorized wheelchair....should he get a DUI when drinking???
Lucy it was in the Seattle PI recently, am Australian man DID get arrested for being drunk on a road in his wheelchair!
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1...
Lucy, funny you should ask: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/2...
Good Grief!!!! There has to be a line somewhere. Sounds like DUI laws need to be revised. The intent of the law is to protect people, this is getting rediculous. I agree that he should be charged with stupidity(whatever charge that might fit this action), but not DUI and eluding. How about minor consuming, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, criminal mischief ther are plenty of other charges that fit this crime.
Where were this guy's buddies? Friends don't let friends mow drunk...
Well, that's it. I guess folks with motorized wheelchairs aren't allowed to drink anymore! Make sure you tell your cousin that if he drinks he's a dirty low-down criminal and is putting our children's lives at risk!
*chuckle*
You know Lucy...police departments don't get federal grant dollars for training and toys based on the number of disorderly conduct convictions they can show. Nor do groups like MADD give a hoot how many times you lock a guy up for trespass. DUI sell grant proposals just like bad news sells newspapers.
So, you thought the law was there to protect you huh? The laws are there to give the system a purpose for functioning, that system is there to gives cops, lawyers, judges and legislators etc jobs. Somebody has to play the crook, it was just this kid's turn.
I am a horrible parent as well I let my kids ride with him at our last BBQ. I will turn myself in tomorrow for endangering the welfare of a minor. I am so ashamed:)
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 86 Comments on this story and counting. If the guy would have only stayed in "HIS" own yard he would have never been visited by our states finest. I just wish he was my neighbor because my grass does need to be cut.
God Bless America God Bless our Troops and yes, God Bless the Sound of Freedom too!
I bet the kid was riding home from a summer solstice bbq, or something.
WildAlaskan- Agreed, no loss there however, lethal force?
Rabblerabble- Told by my coworker whose spouse is a cop.
You read it here first: soon the DA will file a "felony posession with intent to disribute" charge since the perp. was caught with a couple pounds of grass.
Hey newsreader you know there is a story floating around right now about cops in OZ arresting a dude that was passed out in his mechanized chair in the turning lane of a highway. This guy was really endangering himself and others.
http://www.wral.com/news/strange/story/3...
I just know the DNM staff wouldn't break the law by doing something like gambling but I imagine it's hard for the staff to resist a pool on which story will generate the most comments. <grin>
Ahahahah 'Emo' I'm lmao, hilarious
LMAO emo!!! Good one!!!
What a stupid charge. Lord, what has Alaska become?? It sure isnt the place I came to only 28 short years ago!!
This is the most recent Alaska newstory emailed to us in the Lower 48 by our daughter in Fairbanks.
It supercedes the usual Fairbanks-area police blotter newe, in our estimation. This story had many more details, the kind that helps us imagine Alaska as outsiders. Based on the news, we _do_ fear for our offspring, but not very much.
Clearly, your community has kept up--even raised--its standard of amazing headlines and citizens infatuated with their own human potential. Go for it, land of the last frontier.
-R.
P.S.
Is this crime an "MWI"--Mowing While Intoxicated?
I don't understand why everyone is defending this MAN. He's not a kid. He's old enough to vote, he's old enough to know it's a bad idea to get drunk and ride a lawnmower at 1 in the morning. It's obviously dangerous. He was driving. He then tried to elude the police. He should be charged accordingly. Don't defend him.
This would never happen in the lower 48. For example, in LA the cops would just beat around the bush for a while before letting him mow away with a warning.
Come on minerva, what is dangerous about riding a lawn mover? Elude?? How fast do you think a lawn mower goes. I've got a Craftsman and I think five miles per hour is pushing it.
foxalaska - may I suggest you look up the statistics on the number of people who have had various appendages mangled and amputated by lawnmowers.
Booze and dangerous machinery don't mix ... regardless of whether it's an automobile, boat, airplane, lawnmower, tablesaw, or whatever. (The same applies to watching children and other forms of responsibility.)
If you want to drink, park your butt in a chair and stay put. If you're bored, turn on the TV. Otherwise, put off your drinking until you've finished whatever is you want or have to do.
Well, Griff, I don't drink, so it's not a problem. As far as a mower goes, as long as the blades are de-clutched, I think it would be less dangerous than a bicycle.
I keep seeing all these people saying he was
"driving". He wasnt "driving" ...he was
"MOWING"!!!
Looks like this UNDERAGE drinker has had problems with alcohol seeing that his criminal records shows alcohol abuse from '04 and he still hasn't learned his lesson really sad that he will be 21 in less than a month! BETTER to get him off the road before he really goes hog wild! And according to SEARS these are lawn tractors, tractor = vehicle. What MORON sold/gave him beer anyways they should be charged as an accessory.
Does this mean, if I am having a cold
one and carrying a steering wheel
I get a free room and board?
The truth behind crop circles finally revealed. Next thing you know they will capture bigfoot @ the Big I...
A bs bust and proof of the overkill on DUI in this town. This used to be a fun and relaxed place to live. The prohibition folks are trying to make it another one like they left behind. So much for the last Frontier. I hope the you all freeze out and move back to where you came.
Pat
All kidding aside, one look at the police blotter today and it is clear there is a serious problem with drunk drivers in this area. Hardly any of the people busted were even close to being legal to drive! Who's to say this guy wasn't heading home to get in his car and go for a spin?
After all the blogs regarding people leaving and not making it through the winter, maybe it was time we had a good laugh for a change. A good friend who was a State Trooper here in Fairbanks when he transfered said he spent a lot of his time called out for hit moose calls. I'm sure this trooper will have bragging rights for a long time on this arrest.
The problem with DWIs in Alaska is that they are being used by the "justice system" to generate revenue. After thousands of conviction and hundreds of deaths what has changed? If it was my job to reduce alcohol related deaths I would consider myself an abject failure. I feel for this dude. The charges will probably be reduced but unfortunately most of the damage will be done by DMV in all its bureaucratic wisdom.
Seriously, if there were a drunk in my yard at 1:30 in the morning, I would expect the cops to show up right away when I called (as I would be sitting in my house with my pistol hoping he won't try to enter). And then if he were operating a yard machine to top it off, whether it were bush trimmers, lawn mower, whatever, I would expect that to be considered in the charges.
Yes, I consider a lawn mower a motorized vehicle. Just like a moped, or a dune buggy, or a 4 wheeler, or a boat. And yes, I would consider it drunk driving.
20 years old is a man, old enough to die for this country in war. Not a boy.
Just my take on it. I am glad they took him in before he could go home and get into a more dangerous mode of transportation. Come on, he knew he was doing wrong... he RAN!
The comments here are hilarious. Look, the guy got drunk and got on the road. What would be said if he drove it to the end of Garnett Drive and out on Plack Road and caused a car accident? Would his drunken escapade be ok then too? The fact that it was a lawn mower is moot. He was intoxicated and operating a vehicle. This is not his first go around with alcohol and the police. Lock his a$$ up... perhaps this will teach the little drunk a lesson.
Once upon a time I encountered my share with the Fairbanks police when I left my vehicle parked because I was drinking at a local bar but when I walked home they arrested me one block from my house because I was mildly staggering. For this incident they took my dividend for that year.
If the Troopers hadn't done what they did we would be reading 100+ comments on how they don't do their jobs or enough to uphold laws or stop crime. It's a never-ending Catch-22.
Roadtrip, criminal justice is no revenue generator. It's a huge revenue sinkhole. We pay for cops, jails, courts, process servers, public defense, and sink hundreds of millions of dollars into it each year. Saying that arresting people brings money into the state is foolish and naive.
The only reason we keep paying it is so that we can sleep in our beds without worrying about being a victim of crime. Or being woken up as the idiot neighbor mows down our posies with a 36" blade. We pay for this system so that we can live our lives in peace, and it's worth every penny for that purpose.
The reason he is probably charged with a DUI at this time was you can't detain someone for "disorderly conduct" and toss them in the drunk tank. He will probably get a lesser charge come his court date. As to GetReal- your crime is not considered a violent crime so does not have a priority such as drunk driving. Secondly if everyone wasn't so damn cheap and would be willing to pay more taxes, we could maybe have a police force that is adequate to our population but until then, deal with it. What do you expect the cops to tell ya. "yep it appears to be missing. yep there are at least 100 other red dodge trucks out there." Everyone wants the cop to help when needed or the firefighter but don't want to pay for them to have the equipment or man power needed. Ya get what ya pay for.
they should convict him of the "surf and turf". i wonder how many ppl told him "your a$$ is grass, and i'm gonna mow it".
In todays Anchorage paper it is stated that the trooper was embarrassed to call in the 'pursuit'. Apparently the 'mower' got off to get his 'means of transportation' off a rock and was staggering around when he was 'apprehended'. The homeowner was awaken thinking someone was stealing their lawn mower and realized they didn't have a riding lawnmower. Yes, we all know that drinking and driving is a criminal offense, and minor consuming is one also. But with everything else going on it does provide a little 'humor' for all who has posted.
Let's not forget that since he blew beyond .16 he will have to have an ignition interlock device installed on the mower if he wishes to mow again. This will prevent future drunken escapades as well as put money in the pockets of our local businesses which will be installing the device. Given the brutal nature of his crime, I’m sure the lad will be left alone by other prison inmates during his three day incarceration, assuming he stays at the Fairbanks Correctional Facility. Hopefully, mowing will not be a part of his court ordered community service.
I'm amazed at how many people are shocked/disturbed that driving a lawn mower would result in a DUI! You're driving people! Would it be any different if it were a 4-wheeler or a boat on the river? What about if it were 2 in the afternoon, instead of 2 AM? How about throwing some kids in the mix and have them out in the yard playing, or boating with their parents. It really doesn't make it any less of a crime simply because no one was hurt.
Additionally, the cops are doing their job. I happen to know that several neighbors had called to complain about this kid - what would your thoughts be then if you knew that so many people had called and the cops just decided it wasn't worth their effort?
OMG, a lawn mower goes uh...5 mph. Even my 3yo would know how to dodge since most parents let their children roam at 1:30 in the morning when suspicious mowing occurs. And yes, I need my lawn mowed too. The cop who busted him should've thought things through a bit more, he just made a mockery of his whole department. This is truly ridiculous and those of you who are so uptight need to find a cause. Really, get indignant about other issues and find a cause, not a 5 mph lawnmower for God's sake. I have been laughing for the last 20 minutes about this thread--THE BEST YET!! Keep 'em coming!!
Toemoss, I just read the Bigfoot comment, hilarious!
I don't personally think that someone (especially someone underage) drinking then operating a piece of machinery on other people's property is something to laugh about. I don't think that someone breaking the law, then others saying he shouldn't be held responsible just because they don't agree with the law, is funny at all. I don't happen to think we should have to wait until someone gets hurt or property gets damaged before we hold someone accountable for their actions. Adults make decisions knowing the law...if they break the law, they should be held responsible. That's the bottom line. He shouldn't have been drinking if he didn't have a legal, safe way to get home. Given his age, he shouldn't have been drinking at all, but that's an issue of its own. There's too much of the "act now, apologize later" mindset these days rather than "let's think this through first and consider the consequences before we do it." Have fun, but be responsible or be prepared to accept those consequences. The story in itself is somewhat amusing, but what's not amusing is how many people obviously do not take responsibility seriously and think that the law shouldn't apply to them if no one got hurt, if damage wasn't done, or if they simply don't agree with the law.
I cannot remember any posts saying he should not be held responsible. Most say he did do a irresposible thing and should be punished, just not charged with DUI. The DUI part is ridiculous it makes real DUI's seem less serious, he should absolutely be held accountable for being stupid
I'm just saying I don't believe that we should wait until someone gets hurt or someone's property does get damaged before it constitutes a DUI. If you drive under the influence, it's a DUI, regardless of what's being driven, and regardless of whether anyone was hurt or not. Adults know that ahead of time, so if they choose to do it, they need to accept what goes along with a DUI. And just to clarify, I don't actually know the person involved so I'm not saying he's personally not accepting it. That was just my response to reading entries by so many people thinking he shouldn't be subject to the same laws, just because it may sound ridiculous, and to those criticizing the law enforcement for doing their job.
"If you drive under the influence, it's a DUI, regardless of what's being driven"
Kasey00, under that definition, if he had been driving a big wheels he would also receive a DUI, right? One more question, how are they supposed to install the ignition interlock device on that?
fspab3- I have no problem paying more money if it would make a differance in the help that I receive. Point in fact is that it wouldn't do a bit of good. Everytime I have needed a service (and I can count the times on one hand) I have always had a bad encounter with them. I have several friends that have had bad encounters with them as well... ummm in fact everybody that I know has never been helped when they needed it. yeah you get what you pay for but I feel that I am not even getting what I have paid for. It is not so much what they can tell me it is at least keep in touch with me and let me know what is happening instead of me leaving voice mail after voice mail with no return phone call that is the part that pisses me off the most. I am sure that the money I have paid out at least covers a return phone call.
Kinda funny when I was in a car reck the cops wouldn't respond cause I was on what was considered personal property (next to Carl Jr's) but this guy drives his mower on personal property and they respond... hummm... don't ya think that is a bit messed up fspab3
First, I don't have a problem with the people who called the police, the way the police did their job, or the charges, etc. Let's remember "The Tyke" was 20 years old. My family was awakened a number of years ago in our relatively rural home by a drunk delivered by cab. He was insistent that our house was his friends house and he was going to sleep on our couch. My husband stood between him and the house "pleasantly passing the time" until the troopers arrived. It's not fun or trivial when it happens to you - it's scary. The fact that I can grab my infant and run faster than a drunk on a lawn mower if necessary is really beside the point.
That said:
Second, this is the funniest list of posts I've seen in a long time! "Caught with a couple pounds of grass." "Bigfoot at the Big I." I looked at this story after the opinion piece on fuel oil relief and all the posts there - I really appreciate the laugh! Thanks for some lighthearted banter in a situation that thankfully wasn't as tragic as it often is when drunks make decisions.
People are still commenting on this?
Drinking and riding lawn mowers are for conservatives and thus should be banned. Only non-motorized push mowers should be allowed and the people doing the mowing should be homeless, naked except for body paint, and smoking pot.
Joking obviously.
I heard you can get a dui on a horse true or not?
Only if it has a motor, nygiantsfan. Of course, you could say that the it does, and it puts out exactly one horsepower.
Operating machinery....So operating a staple gun, garden hose, manual push mower, manual weed trimmers, pencil sharpener, hair dryer, washer/dryer, coffe maker, stove, electric tooth brush can be operating a machine? The scientific definition of a "machine" (derived from the Latin machina) is any device that transmits or modifies . In common usage, the meaning is restricted to devices having rigid moving parts that perform or assist in performing some work....Some of these listed items perform work or modify...no?
I brought up machinery because I believe you can probably get a DUI for about operating anything if the Cop believes you are endangering yourself or someone else...so can you get busted for operating these while drunk?
According to akweb the fines that are imposed against people for traffic and criminal offences are not revenue for the state. Also I don't sleep "safe and sound" because of the cops. I do so because of my dog and my Ruger. It is foolish to think your safety is best served by calling 911. You can give a criminal 15 minutes in your house if you want, my response time, once the dog starts barking is less then 15 seconds.
Hey Eskimobabee. The airboat story is indeed true and a classic. If memory serves the guy was at Pikes Landing and bet someone he could get to the Lonely Lady in his (allegedly) NEW airboat. Proceeded down the road, scaping the teflon (or whatever) off the bottom of it to the point where he was putting out an impressive sparkly wake. Made it to the Lonely Lady, where the cops nabbed him. Technically he won the bet....but what a cost. If anyone knows a differant version of this true story......feel free. The guys name may be lost in the mists of history, but the incident will go down in Fairbanks DUI history and be told and retold.
Bog that is how I recall the airboat story as well. Some of us know the name :) One of the best stories of real alaskans.
Pat
No this true Alaskan's story is what makes up legends!! It is too funny. That teflon sure works good too...except maybe on asphalt. His name is not lost to history, far as I know he still lives around town, although I havent seen him in years. It is a great story.
I thought that in the Airboat story they let him go at first but he ran the airboat again and the arrested him,that was back before the Dui's were that big of problem.
Santa's not going to come see him this year. He was a very naughty boy..LOL!
1. North Pole Police did not respond because Garnett is not in the city limits proper.
2. The kids friends didn't drive him home for two reasons: a.) they are in jail (tried to get them out of FCC with a dozer- remember?) b.) he really doesn't have any other friends (this is the story I heard- I have kids)
3. The "kid" is a young adult, and has quite the record already- I am sure the neighbors are sick of his antics, and he needs to be continually held responsible for his behavior until he changes it.
4. This was "news" in Auststralia- hey, this is not news at all! I is more like a local comic strip, and yup North Pole is the subject of more redneck, white trash antics.
and yup North Pole is the subject of more redneck, white trash antics.
Wonder why?? And my address is NP, but I NEVER GO THERE!!
GROVER ALASKA, HE PROBABLY HAS MORE FRIENDS THEN YOU EVER HAD, I HAPPEN TO KNOW THE YOUNG MAN AND HE IS A RESPONSIBLE KID, HE MADE A MISTAKE AND HE KNOWS HE DID HE IS NOT DENYING IT
AND I AM PRETTY SURE THE GUY THAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT THE BULL DOZER HE IS THE GUY NORTH POLE COPS SHOT ON THE FOUR WHEELER A COUPLE YEARS AGO, SO MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU START BAD MOUTHING THE KID CAUSE IM SURE YOUR KIDS ARE SUCH LITTLE ANGLES
dui on a bicycle? hows that possible with no motor?
Ok. I could not find the FCC thing. So I will take that back. what I did find is 3 criminal charges involving alchohol, and 4 minor offenses, three of which are related to driving, and one which was undsclosed. It looks like a string of little mistakes by a very responsible young adult.
At least I know what CAPS are for, and I never said mine were angels, but they surely don't have this type of record.
The Daily News' article is funnier:
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/445...
I wonder if the Troopers would have responded as quickly had the neighbor simply reported a theft in progress? Nothing gets the cops attention like a possible DUI. And what is the intent of the law? The number and tone of responses to this article shows just how out of control DUI law and enforcement has become here.
Think i could get a DUI for riding my kids powerwheels its motorized oooh think of that headline
Give it a try so we will have something new to laugh at,just don't try to out run them lol.
will, now you see why the troopers cant get recruits anymore. they are idiots and we are the laughing stock of the free world.....no place else in the world has one percent or more of it's population locked up........we have lost all common sense. what a shame to charge a person with dui who had to much to drink, "misrode" a lawnmower and will pay for it the rest of his life. first term dui's never really go away........ im sick of poor law enforcement.
At the very least this story has given you all something to comment on. I think you need to keep it in perspective and remember anytime you are drunk outside of your dwelling you are risking being at the hands of the police. Their job is to make sure you do not harm your self or others. Once they have been "called" to deal with someone who is intoxicated, it would be irresponsible on their part to just walk away from an intoxicated person and let them carry on, possibly at some later point hurting themselves or someone else, he was drunk therefor it goes to show his judgement was impaired, so who is to say what he may or may not of done once the officers left. You complain when they do and you complain when they don't so really how could they have pleased all of you??
To Nyhtwind Or Any Other Person Who Thinks These Charges Should Stick-
I think the general consensus amongst the individuals questioning this arrest is the punishment should fit the crime. Few would argue this bonehead should get off scott-free from any charges; however a DUI is extreme.
If convicted, this young man will lose his license for three months, go to jail for three days, pay fines to include incarceration, alcohol screening, court fees, jail surcharge, (separate from incarceration), insurance rate increases associated with SR-22 and will also have to have an auto ignition interlock device installed in his automobile for six months which is mandatory for all dui convictions in which the breathalyzer results exceed .16.
It seems to me, a drunk and disorderly charge is more applicable with this scenario than the stiff mandatory minimum penalties associated with DUI convictions which I have mentioned. This case is both funny and sad, but the bottom line suggests it is different from a typical dui due to the fact he did not pose the same significant threat as a person behind a truck or automobile and therefore should not face the same penalties. Wouldn’t you agree?
Yes I agree that DUI is not a fitting charge but was he publicly intoxicated and trespassing and disturbing the peace. Maybe he just got off shift had a couple beers and promised a neighbor to cut their grass and wanted to get it done before that 3AM flight arrival at Fairbanks. Right now there are several people doing said offenses across Alaska, but that isn't the same as DUI.
How many people who called the police actually talked to the guy and asked him to stop mowing at 1:30 before calling it in?
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!! I laughed so hard reading this article!! I bet the North Pole police were too pulling this young man over with their lights and sirens on, LOL!! He'll never live this one down!! Would love to see the dash board cam video!!! Youtube!
"When troopers spotted Lewis, they put on their emergency lights and sirens, but he allegedly led them on a brief pursuit for approximately 200 feet at speed of about 5 mph. As Lewis turned into a backyard on the street, the trooper exited his vehicle and finally got Lewis to stop, according to a criminal complaint filed in court."
Hahahahaha 5 miles an hour! The officer had to exit his vehicle to stop him!!! Tears are just coming out now!!! I expect i'll come back to this more today for a good laugh!
The ADN is even funnier!!! Hahahahaha "The lawn arm of the law....". Apparently the arresting officer was too embarressed to put it over the air waves, hahahahahahaha!!!
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