California has escalating DUI penalties after a person receives their first DUI. The escalating penalties can mean more jail time, higher fines, longer license suspension, longer time spent in DUI classes, and the installation of an ignition interlock device. Successive DUIs within a ten-year period can also mean the DUI escalating from a misdemeanor offense to a felony offense. Generally speaking, up to the third DUI in a 10-year period will remain a misdemeanor. However, beginning with the fourth and consecutive DUI in a ten-year period, the charge can easily become a felony.
WCHS TV reports that a man is facing charges after a police chase on a Washington highway with a pit bull in the driver’s seat.
The incident occurred on April 5th, beginning in the south of Seattle and ended in northern Snohomish County before the vehicle was stopped. According to police, it appeared at times that a pit bull in the driver’s seat was operating the vehicle.
The unidentified 51-year-old driver is facing numerous charges, including DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, and felony eluding.
Troopers say that the driver was behind the wheel of a 1996 Buick when he struck two vehicles in Seattle. When troopers began chasing the vehicle, it was traveling at speeds of over 100 m.p.h.
Before he was stopped, the driver drove from the roadway and onto an off-road trail. The man told troopers that he was teaching his pitbull how to drive. The pitbull was in the driver’s seat while the man was in control of the steering wheel.