A Colorful Way to Stop DUI
January 1, 2009 10:11 AM | permalink
Posted by Danny
Friends don't let friends drive drunk. We all know that.
But can friends not let friends drive drunk by shooting the boozer's windshield with paintball pellets? Not according to cops in Kennewick (WA), who arrested Shawn Wallace, 41, on charges that he unlawfully discharged his paintball rifle at his buddy's car to prevent the man from getting a DUI.
I think it was a wonderful idea. That man very well could have saved a life by doing that. Hope he gets a great lawyer and gets off. If more people took action like this, less drunks on the road. Great job guy!!!!!
Posted by: sher | 01/01/09 9:11PM
Actually pretty smart, if the drunk already has the keys, COPs should give him a medal, not bust him!
Posted by: kevin | 01/01/09 9:11PM
Way to go! Like another commenter said, a life (or more) could have been saved by the friend's actions. Most people are way too apathetic or fearful to stop their drunken friends. From experience, even relatively small accidents can mess up someone's life for some time. The last thing we need is more idiots putting other people's life--or quality of life--at risk.
Posted by: netrista | 01/02/09 7:57AM
sounds more like Dumb Cops than dumb criminals
Posted by: Scarboni | 01/02/09 7:57AM
Way to go! Obviously this gentleman cares greatly for his friend as well as other people that could be effected by his friend driving drunk. We need more people like him!
Posted by: Lauren | 01/02/09 6:17PM
small minded cops. way to go protecting your friend any way you could. the cop should be ashamed of himslef for living up to the stereotypes we all have about them.
Posted by: bob smith | 01/05/09 9:42AM
So how exactly could a person legally stop a drunk. If the driver is truly to drunk to drive, they probably won't appreciate a thoughtful comment and surrender the keys. So what level of restraint is acceptable. Without breaking the law, I'd venture to guess none. So, I guess the cops feel this paint gun weilding person should have let his buddy drive away without a confrontation and simply call 911. The cops might find the offender. And hopefully they find him before he kills someone else, hurts someone else, or even harms himself or does simple property damage. A paint ball is designed to strike the human body, relatively unprotected and do little more than raise a bruise (and only then with a good shot). The point, this guy didn't hurt the real offenders vehicle. Run it through a car wash and get over it. This is a stupid arrest. What kind of behavior are they driving. Next time, this individual will just walk away and do a less acceptable thing...let his friend go. After all, its the cops job to stop him. Of course, we all know that the cops can't be everywhere. So their responce will probably be reactionary...a responce to the accident caused after the fact.
Posted by: Kamerin | 01/05/09 9:43AM
you're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't.
Posted by: this girl | 01/05/09 9:43AM
this is a very creative way to stop DUI'S but what i want to know is if the guy who shot the paintball's went inside to get his gun or if he already had it.
Posted by: j-man | 01/05/09 3:57PM
GAYYYYYYYYYYYY
He more then likely saved a life. But why help a friend willing to have you arrested.?
Posted by: Pig Hater | 01/05/09 3:57PM
I think it was a great idea. However its still a crime to do it.
if his drunk buddy had stepped out of the car there the chance that a paintball coulda hit him in the eye. or even if there were people witnessing it they were in danger too.
Basically it was a Good - bad idea.
I'm kinda mixed. the guy shouldn't have been arrested perhaps a court date would have sufficed. I'm pretty sure the court will let him go...
Posted by: Actually | 01/05/09 3:58PM
so wait...how is this on a dumb crime anyways? its not even a crime really. its a misdemeanor and its not really all that stupid...
Posted by: actually | 01/05/09 3:58PM
to legally stop a drunk : 911.
Posted by: actually | 01/05/09 3:58PM
I thkn this guys should be recognized as one of the best. If this "friend" was so drunk and could not see that his own friend care that much to go to that extreme. I think it shows how a drunk can not function in society. And we should do everything we can to prevent drnks from driving. How about a breatherizer at the bars? If you fail the bar has to take your keys and call a cab at your expense. Sounds good ina copmmon world.
Posted by: JOnpaul Dubocee | 01/07/09 10:02AM
its too bad its a free country jonpaul.
u can get drunk at parties and at home. maybe we should start a prohibition? o wait we tried that.
PS - learn to type!
Posted by: aktually | 01/08/09 9:48AM