A DRIVER who called police for help ended up being hit with a DUI charge – despite his bloodwork proving that he hadn’t been drinking.
Ray Lewis, 66, warned cops that he suffered from a serious disability that affects his balance, but still ended up in handcuffs.
5
5
5
He called for help after showing up for a massage appointment with a woman he met while donating plasma, Lewis told NBC affiliate WSMV.
When he got to the address that the woman gave him, he learned that she didn’t actually live there and feared he had been scammed.
The woman had told him to bring some beer to their appointment, so Lewis cracked one open in his idle car as he desperately texted her for answers.
By the time officers finally arrived, the driver admitted that the situation looked bad.
Read more on traffic laws
Bodycam footage shows local cops in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, quizzing Lewis about his fitness to drive after he called for help.
They asked if he had anything else to drink other than some sips of beer, but Lewis vowed that he didn’t.
Then, they asked him to do field sobriety tests, and Lewis tried his best to prove that he wasn’t inebriated, the video shows.
When asked if Lewis suffered from any conditions that affected his mobility, he said, “I have real bad neuropathy. Keep in mind I’ve had six total knee replacements.”
Neuropathy is a disease that affects the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, and it can lead to muscle weakness and coordination issues.
Lewis was forced to perform the “walk and turn” sobriety test twice but failed each time.
Bodycam footage captured him barely able to move without nearly falling.
When cops searched him, they found loose pain medicine in his pockets that wasn’t in the prescribed container.
Despite Lewis insisting that he was disabled and pointing to a handicap sign in his car, he was ultimately arrested for a DUI.
“I’m the music director at my church in Gallatin. This would have destroyed me,” the emotional driver said.
“My credibility would have been destroyed.”
5
5
DRIVER’S WARNED
Prosecutors ultimately decided to drop the charges after reviewing Lewis’ case, which included a blood test showing that he didn’t have alcohol in his system at the time of the arrest.
The test did, however, show signs that Lewis had taken some of the prescription pain medication.
In a note seen by the outlet, Lewis’ doctor said that he takes the pills at night, and they shouldn’t affect his ability to drive.
Lewis understands why he was taken in over the situation, and the Mt. Juliet Police Department stood by the arrest.
In a statement given to the local outlet, Tyler Chandler, deputy chief of the department, said, “Body-worn camera footage supports what the toxicology report already suggests: this person should not have been driving.”
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, Chandler stressed that sober “doesn’t mean simply free from alcohol; it means not being impaired by anything that alters your ability to operate a vehicle safely.”
Statement from Mt. Juliet Police Department
“Sober” doesn’t mean simply free from alcohol; it means not being impaired by anything that alters your ability to operate a vehicle safely. Whether it’s alcohol, illegal substances, or even legally prescribed medication, impairment is impairment. Many medications, especially those that come with warnings about drowsiness or impaired motor function, can be just as hazardous behind the wheel.
It’s critical that we continue educating the public on this distinction. Impaired driving—no matter the source—puts lives at risk, and the law treats it accordingly. With facts today, drugged driving has caused more deadly crashes than alcohol-involved driving. A local story from the Middle TN community highlights this, where a 13-year-old lost his life: As Tenn. cracks down on drugged driving, parents who lost son in crash warn of dangers
“You can’t drive safely if you’re impaired. That’s why it’s illegal everywhere in America to drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, opioids, methamphetamines, or any potentially impairing drug–prescribed or over the counter. Driving while impaired by any substance—legal or illegal—puts you and others in harm’s way.” – from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s information and facts on drugged driving.
It’s also worth noting that a court’s decision, such as a nolle prosequi, does not inherently invalidate an officer’s actions. Many factors influence prosecutorial decisions, and such outcomes don’t necessarily reflect on the appropriateness or correctness of the officer’s initial enforcement action.
Source: Mt. Juliet Police Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler
“Whether it’s alcohol, illegal substances, or even legally prescribed medication, impairment is impairment,” he said in a statement.
“Many medications, especially those that come with warnings about drowsiness or impaired motor function, can be just as hazardous behind the wheel.”
He also stressed that just because prosecutors chose to not pursue charges, it does not mean that an officer was acting in the wrong.
“Many factors influence prosecutorial decisions, and such outcomes don’t necessarily reflect on the appropriateness or correctness of the officer’s initial enforcement action,” he said.
Drivers who are suspected of a DUI are advised to be compliant and polite to cops after they’re pulled over.
As soon as you see lights flashing behind you, slow down and find a safe spot to pull over.
It’s important to stay as calm and cordial as possible, but know that everything you tell the officer can be used against you in a court of law.
Drivers have the right to decline answering questions, but if an officer asks you to get out of the car, you must do so.
Alternative ways to get home if impaired
Driving impaired is not only illegal, it’s incredibly dangerous – here are ways the AAA suggests getting home if you’ve overindulged.
- Establish a designated driver (DD). If you’re celebrating with a group, determine who will be responsibly driving the group home. To avoid any irreversible accidents, have the DD collect everyone’s keys at the beginning of the night.
- Utilize public transportation. Depending on your location, you might be able to take a bus, monorail, shuttle, or train home. It may come with a fare, but it’s cheaper than a DUI or someone’s life.
- Go with ride-sharing. Uber or Lyft are great options. If you’ve never used either service before, create an account and download the app before celebrating. Taxis are also an option.
- If you live in FL, GA, IA, MI, ND, NE, TN, WI, CO (Denver), NC (Charlotte) and IN (Fort Wayne/South Bend), you can call AAA’s Tow 2 Go number, (855) 2-TOW-2-GO.
Source: AAA
