New York Port Authority Police say that a 26-year-old man was drunk and driving the wrong way on Goethals Bridge at about 4 a.m. on June 11. Authorities say that the man was driving his 2013 Dodge Durango eastbound in the westbound lane at the Goethals Road North off ramp in Mariners Harbor. Furthermore, authorities say that he drove onto a section of the Staten Island Expressway that was closed because of construction.
Police followed the vehicle and eventually conducted a traffic stop. Authorities say that the man needed to grasp the side of his car to steady himself after he got out. He also had slurred speech and seemed disoriented, and he almost fell down during a field sobriety test. Police say that he refused a Breathalyzer test before being taken into custody on charges of driving while impaired and driving while intoxicated.
There are many clues that an officer may look for when deciding if a person should be taken into custody for DWI. For instance, bloodshot eyes or slurred speech could be an indication that a person has been drinking. If a person is stumbling around or seems disoriented, that may also provide evidence that he or she is under the influence of alcohol. It is important to note that drivers can be charged with DWI even if their blood alcohol content is below .08 percent.
As a drunk driving conviction may bring serious consequences, it may be a good idea to talk with a DWI attorney. It may be possible to create a defense to the charge such as asserting that a driver was suffering from a medical condition that may have caused bloodshot eyes or slurred speech.
