It isn’t often that any of us gets to make national news, but that’s exactly what a Chattanooga man did a couple of days ago. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested the man on Dallas Hollow Road after he allegedly rode a horse while drunk.
The good news for the man is that he was not charged with DUI, but was instead cited for public intoxication after a deputy apparently saw him riding down the middle of the road and falling off of his steed.
Fox News picked up the story aired first locally by Channel 9 and then shared it with millions on its website.
Hamilton County officials said deputies responded after receiving multiple reports of an “intoxicated person on a horse.”
According to the Channel 9 report, the horse and rider were unhurt. The animal was returned safely home and the man was arrested and charged. Though he won’t face a DUI, he was not as fortunate earlier this year when was convicted in February of drunk driving.
He lost his Tennessee driver’s license for a full year in that case. In the more recent matter, a judge ordered him to spend 72 hours behind bars for putting himself, the horse and drivers in danger.
While there is an element of humor in his story, it is certainly no laughing matter to be charged with DUI. A conviction for even a first offense can mean a minimum of 48 hours in jail and up to a maximum of 11 months and 29 days behind bars.
A first DUI offense can also mean that your license will be revoked for a year and you will be ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle, at your expense, for up to 12 months.
If you’ve been charged with DUI/DWI, contact a Chattanooga attorney experienced in protecting rights and driving privileges at every step of the legal process.
