SCRAM ankle monitors detect DWI offenders' alcohol use

December 25, 2007 (St. Louis, MO)

People involved in alcohol-related criminal cases may be sweating over the newest monitoring device that judges are strapping to their ankles.

But that's what officials want, since the machine constantly tests its wearer's perspiration for trace levels of alcohol.

Court and probation officials across the St. Louis area are embracing the monitor, known as a SCRAM device, as a way to keep better tabs on people on bond or probation. More >>

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Free rides from bars to home are available for partiers in Springfield, MO

December 28, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

The number of Missourians killed in alcohol-related crashes ranks in the top third of states. In 2005, 515 people died in those crashes in 2005, and there were 500 fatalities in 2006.

With all the seasonal celebrations, law enforcement officers stress the importance of a designated driver.

“The best way is, if you're going to drink, whether it's one drink or two drinks or whatever, don't drive. Then there's no question at all whether you're going to get arrested for DWI or possibly kill yourself or someone else,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Sgt. Dan Bracker. http://www.ky3.com/news/local/12885762.html

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DWI patrol, deputies on lookout for intoxicated motorists

December 28, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

With "amateur night" on the horizon and holiday parties still on the agenda for many drivers, the Christian County Sheriff's Department is continuing stepped-up enforcement of drunken-driving laws.
The concentrated periodic crackdown on impaired drivers began Dec. 15 and officers will be out in force on New Year's Eve, hoping to staunch the flow of blood from booze-fueled auto crashes, Sheriff's Department Capt. Jeremy Whitehill said.

"Our focus will be patrol saturation," he said. More >>

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Five arrested in Springfield, MO in driving while intoxicated (DWI) stops Friday night

December 23, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

An effort to stop intoxicated drivers Friday night resulted in five DWI arrests and the issuance of more than 50 tickets, according to the Springfield Police Department.
In all, eight officers made 40 traffic stops that resulted in the DWI arrests and 56 traffic violations.

Overall, the two DWI Enhanced Enforcement sessions this month carried out by police through a Missouri Department of Transportation grant have resulted in 21 arrests.

The Greene County Sheriff's Department took part in the effort by providing transportation and booking officers, according to a police news release.

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Suspected drunken driver hits Clay County patrol vehicle

December 21, 2007 (Clay County, MO)

A Clay County Sheriff’s deputy suffered minor injuries this morning when a motorist suspected of driving while intoxicated (DWI) slammed into his unmarked squad car on Route B near U.S. 69.

The accident was reported just after 8:40 a.m. along Route B in Liberty.

The deputy, Matt Hunter, was northbound and was crossing the intersection at U.S. 69 when his squad car was struck on the driver’s side by a pickup that reportedly failed to stop at the traffic light. The pickup was driven by a 41-year-old Excelsior Springs man, said Sgt. Scott Meyer with the Missouri Highway Patrol. More >>

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Springfield, MO Police to field 16 officers Friday night in DWI patrol

December 21, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

The Springfield Police Department plans to have 16 officers on city streets Friday night taking part in a driving-while-intoxicated saturation patrol. The objective is to catch drunk drivers before they cause accidents or place others in danger, according to a news release from the department. More >>

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Police agencies canvass Eastern Jack for drunken drivers

December 20, 2007 (Jackson County, MO)

Police agencies in Jackson County joined together this past weekend to participate in a statewide DWI enforcement effort to decrease alcohol related crashes.

The enforcement began at 10 p.m. Saturday and ended at 4 a.m. Sunday.

Approximately 25 officers from Blue Springs, Independence, and Kansas City Police Departments and the Jackson Sheriff's Department participated in this project, which resulted in 13 DWI arrests during the enforcement period.

The project was coordinated locally by the Jackson County Traffic Safety Task Force. The statewide effort was coordinated by Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council and was funded by the Highway Safety Division of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

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More DWI patrols in Springfield, MO on Friday

December 20, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

Springfield police plan to conduct a DWI saturation patrol Friday night, the department said in a press release.

Sixteen police officers will be on duty during the city-wide patrol to focus on catching drunk drivers.

The operation is the second of three planned this month and is funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

An earlier saturation patrol conducted Dec. 8 resulted in 16 DWI arrests during a five hour period. The timing of the third and final patrol funded the grant has not been announced.

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Sen. Graham pleads guilty to DWI

December 14, 2007 (Columbia, MO)

State Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, pleaded guilty Friday morning to driving while intoxicated at Callaway County Courthouse.

Graham also paid the maximum fine of $500, as well as $122.50 in court costs, according to the clerk of court’s office.

Graham currently has driving privileges; whether he will keep them will be decided in a future administrative hearing.

Graham was arrested Oct. 20 after he was involved in a three-car accident on Green Meadows Road. Graham refused a Breathalyzer test the night of the accident.

In a statement from his office, Graham said he had “made a major error in judgment” and “learned a valuable and life-altering lesson.”

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13 arrested in DWI project

December 16, 2007 (Jackson, MO)

As part of a Missouri crackdown on people who drink and drive, area law enforcement personnel arrested 13 people late Saturday and early Sunday for allegedly driving while intoxicated.

About 25 officers from the Blue Springs, Independence and Kansas City police departments and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department participated in the project. The statewide effort was coordinated by the Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council and was funded by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

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Graham pleads guilty to DWI, gets $500 fine

December 15, 2007 (Columbia, MO)

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Missouri Sen. Chuck Graham pleaded guilty yesterday in Fulton to driving while intoxicated and was fined $500. Appearing before Associate Circuit Judge Carol England, Graham also was ordered to pay $122.50 in court costs on the Class B misdemeanor.

Graham

Graham, D-Columbia, was arrested Oct. 20 at Green Meadows Road and Bethel Street after his Chevrolet Monte Carlo rear-ended an eastbound vehicle at a stop sign, pushing it into a third vehicle. Graham suffered bruises, but no one else reported injuries. more >>

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December 13, 2007 (Camden County, MO)

Partiers had best think twice before getting behind the wheel this weekend at Lake of the Ozarks.

The Camden County Sheriff's Department will be executing a DWI saturation patrol Saturday, Dec. 15.

The saturation has been made possible by a grant through the "You Drink and Drive, You Lose" campaign.

Sheriff John Page said he hopes the campaign will make the holiday season safer for the residents of Camden County.

“I would love to be told by my staff that no one had this magical time of the year ruined by an alcohol related accident,” Page said.

In 2006, 273 people in Missouri lost their lives in more than 7,900 alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in a death or injury every 1.6 hours. more >>

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High school principal is charged with DWI

December 14, 2007

SALEM, Ark. -- The principal of Viola High School is charged with drunken driving.

Salem police were called to check out a car along Arkansas 9 and found it in a drug store parking lot. Officers say they asked Frederick Robinson to show his driver's license and, instead, were given a lottery ticket.

A police report says Robinson failed every DWI test and had a blood alcohol level of .29 percent, nearly four times the legal limit for drivers of .08 percent.

The school district will say only that Robinson is still employed. more >>

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Jackson County deputy charged with DWI

December 13, 2007 (Jackson County, MO)

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has suspended a deputy who wrecked his vehicle and is facing drunken-driving charges.

Police arrested Darrin L. Willoughby, 38, early Wednesday morning after he lost control of his vehicle while on Missouri 291 and ended up overturned on Interstate 70. No other vehicles were involved and Willoughby was not injured. He is charged with driving while intoxicated and unlawful use of a weapon.

Independence police spokesman Tom Gentry said the weapon charge was filed because Willoughby is suspected of carrying his weapon while drunk.

According to the sheriff’s office, Willoughby was placed on administrative leave Wednesday. more >>

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Pickup driver gets 15 years for DWI death

December 11, 2007 (Columbia, MO)

Family delivers emotional testimony.

During an emotional courtroom hearing yesterday that included tearful testimony from the victim’s family, a Mexico, Mo., man was given the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for an April drunken driving crash that killed a University of Missouri-Rolla student. more >>

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16 Drivers Arrested in Springfield DWI / DUI Sweep

December 9, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

Springfield, MO Saturday night DWI / DUI crackdown nets 16 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Springfield police officers arrested 16 people for driving while intoxicated Saturday night as the result of a citywide DWI enforcement project, according to a department news release.

The operation ran for five hours, and a total of 11 officers were assigned to the operation. The Greene County Sheriff’s Department provided two officers to help transport and book the DWI suspects, the news release said. More >>

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Springfield, MO police plan "saturation patrol" for drunken drivers

December 7, 2007 (Springfield, MO)

Springfield police will take to the streets en masse tomorrow night, in an attempt to catch drunken drivers, the department said in a release today.

Sixteen officers will patrol city streets Saturday with the sole mission of nabbing drunken drivers.

The “saturation patrol” will be funded through a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation, the department said.

“Continued saturation patrols will play a part in our efforts to make Springfield a safer place to drive,” the release said.

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LaRussa pleads guilty to DWI charge

November 29, 2007

The video window shows La Russa on the night that he was arrested. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa pleaded guilty for driving under the influence last March. Police found him asleep and smelling of alcohol in his running sport utility vehicle at a traffic signal.

As part of his plea agreement, La Russa will serve at least six months' probation, pay a $679 fine, complete DUI school and any recommended treatment and complete 50 hours of community service.

The Cardinals train and play spring training games in nearby Jupiter.

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Tony LaRussa DWI arrest: Field sobriety test video now is online

November 30 2007

Embarrassing. No doubt. But perhaps the worst part, the harshest penalty, in Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa's DUI plea deal this week was not the fine and loss of driving privileges, it was the release of the arrest video.

The video is a cringe-inducing montage of La Russa stumbling and bumbling during a roadside sobriety check in Jupiter, Fla., on March 22. The dashboard camera of a Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy captured La Russa struggling to walk and failing to recite the alphabet: "... T, U, V, V, Z, T, U, V, X, Y, X, Z."

Authorities released the tape Wednehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifsday, the same day the intensely private La Russa pleaded guilty.

And from there, the video spread far and wide. It was played and replayed and, for good measure, played again on TV newscasts, ESPN Sports Center and across hundreds of websites, including YouTube, sports blog Deadspin.com and this newspaper's STLtoday.com.
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The video gave a second wind to an incident the Cardinals would prefer to see go away. And it graphically displayed the degree of La Russa's impairment, even though he registered a blood-alcohol level (.093) barely above the .08 legal limit.

"He looked completely sauced in the video," wrote one commentator on the official St. Louis Cardinals site. More >>

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