A man was charged with DUI after reportedly thinking he was helping the police chase a fleeing purported drunk driver, but turned out to be an officer.
On the evening of May 21, a man with his wife in the passenger seat and a youngster in a back seat was reportedly driving a Jeep without the headlights turned on.
An officer with the Mount Carmel Police Department pulled over the vehicle, and the driver allegedly lied about his name when he was asked. The officer reportedly learned that the man, who said he had no identification at the time, was driving on a revoked license from a prior DUI.
The suspect’s wife allegedly said she encouraged her husband to drive despite being aware of the restrictions.
The officer suspected the driver was under the influence, and the man reportedly failed a roadside sobriety test.
The driver and his wife were placed under arrest, and they were taken to a local hospital for blood tests to check for illegal substances.
Later that evening, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper got off his shift and assisted with driving the couple’s vehicle to the station. The arresting officer trailed behind him with his emergency lights flashing.
While the officers were traveling, a vehicle on the opposite side of the street reportedly began flashing its high beams before crossing over the center double line. The driver of the vehicle appeared to be trying to get in the way of the officer driving the Jeep. The officer reported that he was nearly hit.
When the officers approached the driver, he was identified as 23-year-old Justin Michael Rimer.
Rimer was asked about the alleged maneuvers with his vehicle, and the man reportedly said he was trying to help by getting in the way of the Jeep since he thought it was a fleeing suspect.
The man was permitted to leave the scene after the officers explained they were taking a suspect’s car to the station, and Rimer allegedly sped off unsafely.
The officer reported that Rimer pulled into a fast-food restaurant parking lot and drove over a curb causing damage to a flower bed.
When Rimer was stopped by the police, it was reported that his vehicle reeked of marijuana.
The car was inspected, and the officer said he discovered paraphernalia and 10 grams of marijuana.
Rimer was taken into custody, and he is facing charges for DUI, failure to exercise due care, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a traffic violation.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a DUI offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.