The Journal Gazette, from Fort Wayne IN, has reported on a strange DUI case in which a man thought that four young children would enjoy a ride on the hood of his car, attached by yellow tow straps, instead of safely seat belted inside his vehicle.
A.S., 29, attempted to pull the stunt in full view of the manager of a beverage shop and, very soon after, a deputy U.S. marshal that happened to be in the area.
A.S. pleaded guilty on July 10 to the 2012 incident in Allen Superior Court and now faces four felony convictions.
A.S. was charged along with another adult that was a passenger in the car, J.A.C.
A.S. lives in the 200 block of East DeWald Street. The two adults were spotted attaching the children – aged 4, 5, 6 and 7 – to the hood of a white sedan near the 2000 block of Fairfield Avenue.
The manager of Belmont Beverage that witnessed the strange activity alerted police. When the deputy U.S. marshal heard the call on his police radio, and saw the car pass him, he followed them south onto Fairfield Avenue.
Officers at the scene detected the odor of alcohol on A.S.'s breath.
Of the four children seen strapped to the hood, the three youngest belonged to A.S. and the eldest belonged to J.A.C.
According to court records, the responding officers queried A.S. as to what made him strap the youngsters to the hood of his car. A.S. allegedly told the police, "I was only going to drive around the corner. I thought they would like it."
According to police reports, the mother of A.S.'s children arrived on scene and the children were released into her custody.
Breathalyzer results showed that A.S.'s blood alcohol content was more than twice the amount to be legal for driving – A.S.'s proved to be 0.17 percent.
The felony charges A.S. pleaded guilty to included three Class D felony counts of neglect of a dependent, one Class D felony charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and four misdemeanor charges of criminal recklessness, four child restraint infractions.
At his sentencing an infraction for driving without insurance will be dismissed.
Allen Superior Court Judge Wendy Davis will determine A.S.'s sentence according to the terms of his plea agreement. Additionally, charges cannot be reduced at sentencing if the judge accepts the plea agreement.
A.S. is looking at six months to three years of prison time for all of the charges, he then must submit to alcohol and psychological evaluations when paroled and will loose his driving privileges for six months.
A.S. must also continue to keep up with his child support payments and take parenting classes. All visits with his children will be under the watchful eye at Stop Child Abuse and Neglect.
His sentencing is scheduled for August 3.
J.A.C., 30, has been charged with neglect of a dependent, a Class D felony, and is awaiting trial.
Facing DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI charges? There are many types of charges that can be made against you in the case of a DUI related incident. Contact a DUI attorney that specializes in these types of cases.