Articles Posted in DUI Defense

In February of 2013, 25-year-old Tanya Weyker was involved in an accident in which she was t-boned at an intersection by Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriff Joseph Quiles, who was making his rounds on the night shift.  The accident occurred as Quiles pulled out onto Howell Avenue, sending Weyker’s vehicle spinning into a tree.  Weyker was arrested for OWI or operating while intoxicated, although blood tests indicated she was completely sober.

Weyker, who had no criminal record and not even a speeding ticket, was too injured in the crash to perform field sobriety tests or blow into a breathalyzer, according to reports at Fox News.  Weyker had steel rods placed in her back after having radiation treatments for cancer that she developed at age three.  The crash with Quiles left her neck broken in four places.

When questioned by police the day of the crash, Weyker was truthful about her use of Vicodin a week prior to the crash, when she had her wisdom teeth pulled.  She also admitted that she had taken a few sips of a friend’s drink that evening.  After deputies were suspicious of Weyker’s red, glassy eyes, she explained it was due to her crying.  She was ultimately arrested for drunk driving causing injury, even though her injuries prevented her from taking the usual tests to determine BAC or blood alcohol content. Continue reading

Early Sunday morning April 27, Idaho Vandal’s wide receiver Dezmon Epps was arrested in Pullman, WA for suspicion of driving under the influence.  According to news reports Epps, who is 21 years old, was jailed at the Whitman County Jail after refusing to post a $500 bond.

Epps was reportedly observed by a police officer driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street.  According to police, Epps was arrested for misdemeanor DUI after failing a field sobriety test. Epps had a breakout junior season in 2013, however coach Paul Petrino said that he was disappointed with Epp’s actions, and that the matter would be reviewed.  Petrino went on to say that students at the university who are athletes will learn responsible behavior and are held accountable for their actions.

Epps was scheduled to meet with a judge on Monday April 28.  Continue reading

On Monday April 21, Southwest Florida state Representative Dane Eagle was pulled over after running a red light and striking a curb.  Eagle, 30, was accused of drunken driving and subsequently arrested after refusing to submit to a field sobriety test, according to news articles at Naples News.  The incident occurred in the area near Florida State University.

Eagle had just left a Taco Bell near the university when Tallahassee police noticed him driving in a manner that made them suspect he was intoxicated.  After pulling Eagle over, the police report indicated that Eagle exited the vehicle, then stumbled before falling against the rear passenger side door.  He claimed that he had not been drinking.  When the police officer noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverages, Eagle said that the reason for the smell was that friends who had been at a bar had been riding around with him.  After refusing to perform a field sobriety test, Eagle told the officer that he was “good to get home.

Eagle filed HB 1435 earlier this year; this legislation would require that elected officials be drug tested within 60 days of being re-elected or taking office.  HB 1435 won’t pass this legislative session, as it did not receive a committee hearing. Continue reading

On December 15, 2013 former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb was pulled over for speeding; he was allegedly driving 81 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to CBS Sports.  He was subsequently arrested and charged with DUI after police determined that McNabb was under the influence.  Last week, McNabb spent one day in the Maricopa County Jail.  In March of this year, McNabb, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, pleaded guilty.  Because of his guilty plea, he was ordered to serve only one day in jail.

McNabb was sentenced to 10 days, however nine of those days were suspended.  He is currently an analyst for Fox Sports 1.  Fox Sports officials said in a statement that they are convinced McNabb “understands the gravity of this offense and is sufficiently contrite.”  A spokes person went on to say that “The legal process has been concluded and we plan no further disciplinary action at this time.”

News reports do not indicate whether McNabb was issued a ticket for speeding, or whether he was subject to other penalties for the DUI arrest.  In the state of Michigan, individuals who are charged with driving under the influence face not only potential jail time, but fines, driver’s license suspension, community service, and other harsh punishment depending on whether it is a first, second, or subsequent offense. Continue reading

On Sunday April 13, former Florida State running back James Wilder Jr. was arrested on a bench warrant in connection with a citation he received in March in Tampa for driving with a suspended driver’s license with knowledge.  He was pulled over and arrested in Tampa just before 7:30 p.m. and released approximately five hours later after posting a $1,000 bond, according to a news article at Nolesports.com.

According to a report at the Tampa Bay Times, Wilder has been cited on driver’s license violations four times.  Wilder turned 22 years old on Monday.

On Monday, Wilder issued a statement saying that he was celebrating his birthday with family and friends, and that he hoped to prove that he was not only another year older, but another year wiser.  Wilder went on to say that he was arrested on a warrant for missing a court date, and that he had been training in California for the NFL Combine when his driver’s license was suspended in Florida.  Upon returning to Florida, Wilder said that his driver’s license was reinstated, however he did not appear for a mandatory court date.  Wilder apologized, saying there is “really no excuse for missing court dates.” Continue reading

Recently, 21-year-old Brett Austin Tate was arrested for driving on a suspended license; he was also arrested on charges of reckless driving twice within a four-hour time frame, according to a news article at the Times News.  Tate, a resident of Bristol, Tennessee, was allegedly street racing in downtown Kingsport when he was arrested the first time.  Just a few hours later, he was once again arrested for allegedly “burning out” in a daycare center’s parking lot which was said to be crowded at the time.

On a Friday afternoon, Tate and two other vehicles were speeding as they took off from a traffic signal, traveling at about 60 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, according to the Kingsport Police Department arrest report.  Upon pulling Tate and one of the other drivers over, the officer found that Tate’s driver’s license had been suspended.  He was arrested.

Later the same evening, Tate ran afoul of the law again after posting bond.  This time in Sullivan County, Tate was arrested after allegedly performing burnouts in the parking lot of a daycare where several parents and their children were present.  Reports claim that parents began taking their children, who were “infants and toddlers,” to their cars.  After leaving the daycare parking lot at a high rate of speed, Tate was pulled over and arrested for reckless driving and driving on a suspended license.  Because of his dangerous actions at the daycare and the presence of children and adults, Tate was also charged with reckless endangerment. Continue reading