Law enforcement in New York is constantly on the lookout for drivers who might be operating their vehicles under the influence. When a person is charged with DWI, there are numerous problems that the accused drunk driver will face. These include possible jail time, hefty fines and the loss of driving privileges among many other penalties. This is why when a driver is arrested, he or she needs to know how to formulate a strong defense regardless of the circumstances.
A man is accused of driving the wrong way in the Holland Tunnel and then attempting to evade law enforcement when they sought to stop him. The 29-year-old man now faces multiple offenses including DWI, fleeing police, driving recklessly and reckless endangerment. The investigation claims that the man entered the tunnel on the Manhattan side in the wrong direction. The tunnel was closed for maintenance so he was not driving against traffic.
Eventually, he was forced to stop by a vehicle that was in the tunnel for the ongoing maintenance. He then turned the vehicle around and tried to head back into Manhattan. The law enforcement vehicle was waiting outside the tunnel, but the man refused to stop. He drove on into Manhattan until he was stopped. When the police investigated, the man’s speech is said to have been slurred and he smelled of alcohol. He refused to submit to a breath test to determine his blood alcohol content and was arrested.
When a driver is facing any charges related to driving under the influence, it is imperative to remember that law enforcement also has to follow certain protocol when conducting an investigation. For example, the breathalyzer machine must be properly calibrated. There must also be a justifiable reason for the stop to have been made. In this case, a man is alleged to have committed several offenses. There is an additional charge when a driver commits breath test refusal after being requested to take a test to determine BAC level. Considering the drunk driving charges he faces, the first thing he should do is contact and speak to an experienced legal professional to plan a defense.
Source: NBC New York, Queens Man Charged With DWI After Driving Wrong Way in Holland Tunnel: NYPD
