By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW — A 32-year-old Taylor man who was arrested the afternoon of Dec. 23 for operating under the influence of liquor was taken to a local hospital when his preliminary breath tests indicated that his blood-alcohol content was nearly four-times the 0.08 limit for legally drunk in Michigan.
Police dispatch received a call about a possible drunk driver near Forest Elementary School, 19400 Hampton St., after a passerby help the man get his vehicle unstuck from the playground area.
When police officers approached the driver, he was slumped over the steering wheel, with the vehicle running and the headlights on.
When awoken, the man’s vehicle door was opened, releasing the smell of intoxicants. His movements were slow and uncoordinated and he denied having had anything to drink. However, an open bottle of alcohol in a paper bag was found behind the passenger seat.
Due to the severe cold, he was taken to the Riverview police station for standardized field sobriety tests, which he failed. Due to his rising blood-alcohol levels, he was hospitalized for further evaluation.
The man’s vehicle was searched, and numerous empty alcohol bottles were found within, after which it was impounded and towed.
He was cited for operating while impaired, with a high blood-alcohol concentration.