An unconventional traffic stop led to criminal charges for an Illinois man. Police claim they stopped a man for erratic behavior behind the wheel of a lawn tractor in the early hours of the morning. He was charged with drunk driving, and his tractor was taken to an impound lot.
The 50-year-old man was apparently driving the lawn tractor on a road when he stopped to relieve himself in another person’s yard. A witness told police that he appeared to be falling asleep just before he stopped. The witness claims that he then got back on the tractor and drove off, nearly hitting a parked car in the process. He also allegedly yelled at other people while driving.
When police arrived they stopped the man and asked that he turn his tractor off. The man complied, and police noted that his speech was slurred and that he smelled of alcohol during questioning. He then supposedly became belligerent and swore at an attending officer while also threatening physical violence. He also claimed that he police could not charge him with a drunk driving offense because he was driving a small lawn tractor and not a larger motor vehicle.
Illinois police arrested the tractor’s driver and charged him for drunk driving, operating an uninsured vehicle and no registration. Although not driving a car at the time of his arrest, he may still lose his driver’s license. Swift action is often best when faced with a DUI, as the loss of driving privileges can impact many other aspects of life.
Source: wgntv.com, “Man charged with DUI for driving drunk on lawn tractor“, Melissa Espana, Nov. 14, 2017
