Cop Pulls Over Drunk Driver - Let's Him Go Without Arrest - Driver Hits Tree & Dies

[matcom]

<snip>

JANESVILLE, Wis. -- A driver who was stopped for speeding and tested over the legal limit for blood-alcohol content, but was not arrested, was killed less than three hours later Monday when his car hit a tree, according to police.

Janesville police records indicate that Jason Stacy, 29, was seen speeding and driving erratically downtown shortly after 1 a.m.

According to an analysis of police records by WISC-TV in Madison, Stacy was stopped and given a Breathalyzer test that indicated a blood-alcohol level of 0.12 percent. The legal limit in Wisconsin is 0.08.

Stacy was ticketed for imprudent speed and failing to stay in the center of his lane. The officer didn't arrest Stacy but did prevent him from driving until a friend picked him up, the television station reported.

Around 3:45 a.m., Stacy's car hit a tree and burst into flames, deputies said. Stacy, who was alone and not wearing a seatbelt, was found about 50 feet away.

Janesville police declined to comment. The Rock County Sheriff's Department said it is investigating.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-warning-fatal-crash,0,1345736.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[DS1]

1. West Side!

[Shell Beau]

2. It was the driver's fault he chose to drink and drive.

And even after being pulled over, chose to drive again. While I guess the cop should've gotten him off of the road (I am guessing he thought he did by getting a friend to come and get him), he made the decision to get behind the wheel. The blame lies with him and him only.

[Zuiderelle]

3. You're right, since he could easily just do it after getting out of jail, but

he SHOULD have been arrested. I'm curious to see if that officer only arrests "some" people, and what this person's relationship might be with the officer or with the police in general.

[Shell Beau]

5. Sometimes there is nothing behind it at all. My brother (who is a cop)

let a man go because he only had one beer. There was no motivation behind it other than he knew the man wasn't drunk. This story is different since the guy was swerving and I am not sure what .12% actually equals in drinks. But, he did get the kid off of the street (at least temporarily). The kid made a dumb choice and it cost him his life. Thankfully, it didn't cost anyone else their life.

[deepthought42]

4. Seems like the friend could've picked his sorry ass up

from jail. That's why they give you a phone call. Drunk driving is dangerous, period. It's a wonder he didn't hurt anyone else... :scared:

[Bunny]

6. Police: Woman Arrested Twice In Same Night For DUI

<snip>
In Washington County, state police arrested a woman on charges of driving
under the influence of alcohol twice in one night.

Police first arrested Joyce Main around 2 a.m. Sunday after they
said she almost hit a utility pole and vehicle in Canton Township.

Investigators said Main had a blood alcohol level of three times the
legal limit, was arrested and released to her ex-boyfriend.

At 3:30 a.m. the same morning, police said they found Main
driving again in Washington.
<snip>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wtae/20070522/lo_wtae/13360480;_ylt=AnRyCPRiGNkz7j15Z5TIawAE1vAI