A man in Vallejo, California, allegedly plunged into a body of water right next to a roadway while drunk driving. As per the authorities, the driver then fell asleep inside his vehicle, despite the circumstances.
According to a post from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Solano Area, the incident occurred on an unspecified date, probably a day before it was shared on Facebook, June 3. A driver, who remains unnamed, was traveling westbound on SR-37.
However, an “unexpected detour” occurred when the driver swerved his red Ford Mustang all of a sudden. He would then plunge into a body of water right next to the state route.
CHP officers and members with the Vallejo Fire Department arrived shortly after at the area. Upon arrival, they noticed the Mustang, half-submerged in the not-so-deep water.
Unconscious Driver, Non-Existent Animal
At the scene, first responders encountered a witness who had seen the swerving go down. According to them, after the vehicle came to rest in the water, the driver fell asleep.
By using a ladder, responders were able to create a bridge of sorts that the man ultimately used to get to dry land. When asked about what happened, he gave an explanation that was quickly dismissed.
As per the CHP, the man behind the wheel said that he had swerved the way he did because he saw an animal on the road. Therefore, he sacrificed his Mustang’s integrity to avoid hitting the unspecified animal. The witness, however, intervened once again, saying that they didn’t see any animal in the roadway.
Arrest, BAC Test
Given the circumstances, CHP officers decided to place the driver under arrest, as seen in the shared photos. It is unconfirmed whether field sobriety tests were conducted or if a preliminary breathalyzer test was taken at the scene.
However, potentially after being brought into custody, authorities took a blood alcohol content test (BAC). As per the CHP, the test came back with a 0.24% BAC result.
According to California law, the man was allegedly driving at three times the legal limit. Although the CHP has not announced formal charges, the man, who was not identified either, could face a driving under the influence charge with enhancements, due to his alleged BAC.
A Warning
Even though there’s no further information regarding the incident, the CHP did warn other drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence. Specifically, they detailed that a .25% BAC, a severe impairment, poses a very palpable danger to drivers and others in general.
The California Highway Patrol recommends making a plan before going out to an evening where alcohol is to be consumed. Using a rideshare, a taxi, or even designating a sober driver are among the smartest choices people can make.