There are a multitude of circumstances in which an individual may have issues with balance or speech. Unfortunately, when a collision occurs, such behavioral patterns might lead investigating authorities to suspect the presence of intoxication. A 69-year-old man has recently been accused of drunk driving following a recent collision that is said to have occurred in Wisconsin.
According to reports, police responded to a call about a single-vehicle collision on a recent Friday in which a driver had hit a tree. Upon arriving at the scene and requesting that he exit the vehicle, they claim he appeared unsteady and was slurring his speech. During this period, he allegedly advised officers that his license had been revoked, and they say he became uncooperative and began threatening them.
Police also assert that an open container of alcohol was found in the vehicle, and the man was taken to a nearby medical facility for a blood draw. According to reports, officers chose not to administer field sobriety tests due to the man's behavior. He is facing numerous charges in relation to the alleged incident, which include open intoxicants in a vehicle and drunk driving, the latter of which would reportedly be his tenth offense if convicted.
The penalties for a conviction for drunk driving increase in severity with each successive offense. Those who face similar circumstances could benefit from consulting a defense attorney for guidance as soon as the charges are filed. An attorney can thoroughly examine the situation and provide a client in Wisconsin with advice on how best to proceed, and if a conviction is unavoidable, assist in pursuing a lesser sentence during court proceedings.