Skip to main content

Florida High School Teacher Arrested for DUI While on Her Way to Work

Florida High School Teacher Arrested for DUI While on Her Way to Work

On Monday morning 56 year-old Nancy Vaughn was arrested for DUI while en route to Estero High School where she works as an Intensive Reading teacher.  Just before 7am police received calls that a red car was driving erratically and was swerving between lanes.  Police caught up with the red car and noted the same reckless driving as had been reported by callers.

The police pulled Vaughn over and immediately suspected drunk driving due to the odor of alcohol, her inability to keep her balance while standing, and her blood-shot water eyes.  Vaughn opted to take the DUI field sobriety tests and failed.  She was arrested and taken to the local police station where she submitted a breathalyzer sample that revealed BAC levels of .258 and .273, three times over the legal limit.

With discovery of Vaughn’s recent DUI arrest the school district reassigned Vaughn to a position outside of the High School while they continue to investigate the incident.

When asked about Vaughn as a teacher, students said they had never observed her acting unusual or drunk in the classroom, they said she was nice but strict and had tons of school spirit.

Student’s opinions and feelings about their teacher’s arrest seemed to be split.  One former student sided with Vaughn saying, “I mean everybody makes mistakes.  I guess this is hers.  But what she needs is our help, not our criticism.”

An Estero senior had an opposing view,  “[She] needs to learn from her mistakes.  She did it before this is the second time.”  Vaughn had been arrest for DUI in the same county less than a year ago.

With this being Vaughn’s second DUI arrest she is facing tougher penalties such as increased jail time, increased fines, and a longer driver’s license suspension.  She will also have to undergo longer alcohol treatment.  It is in Vaughn’s best interest to hire an experienced DUI defense lawyer to help navigate through this new DUI charge and possibly a probation violation that will arise from her prior DUI.

 

Written by Sarah Ann

 

State Troopers Team Up To Crack Down On Speeding And DUI During The Holiday Weekend

State Troopers Team Up To Crack Down On Speeding And DUI During The Holiday Weekend

Washington State DUI News – Starting this evening at 6PM the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Washington State Patrol (WSP), and Oregon State Police (OSP) will be gearing up for the three state collaboration “I-5 Challenge” encouraging holiday drivers to follow driving laws while traveling along the I-5 corridor.  The goal of the “I-5 Challenge” is to educate drivers and to reduce and eliminate fatalities during the holiday season.  The three states announced the following challenge to west coast travelers:  Arrive Alive on I-5 this holiday weekend.

CHP, WSP, and OSP will be focused on stopping travelers that are speeding, driving recklessly, driving while distracted (on cell phones etc.), driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol, and failing to use safety belts or child safety seats.  The increased patrols will be located all along Interstate 5 from the southern city of San Diego California, through Oregon, and as far north as Bellingham, Washington.  The “I-5 Challenge” runs from November 27th through Thanksgiving weekend and will end on December 1st.

The state patrol has provided drivers four simple strategies to follow to make for safe holiday travel.

  1. Slow Down
  2. Pack Your Patience
  3. Drive Sober
  4. Buckle UP

If the Washington State Highway Patrol arrests you for reckless driving or DUI during the holidays, call David O Defense (206) 459-6392 immediately to speak directly with a highly qualified criminal defense attorney.

 

Written by S.O

Washington State Lawmakers Push For DUI Check Points

Washington State Lawmakers Push For DUI Check Points

DUI News – State lawmakers and advocates are at it again, trying to change the law and amend the constitution to legalize random DUI check points here in Washington State.  The legalization of DUI check points would allow law enforcement to stop vehicles without legal cause and investigate individuals for possible driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  Why try again?  Supporters of DUI check points are convinced individuals will think twice about drunk driving knowing they could be stopped at a DUI sobriety check point and thus drunk driving would decrease.

Democratic State Representative Roger Goodman, of Kirkland, appears to be a supporting forefront voice on the controversial issue saying, “We’ve made a lot of progress in enacting DUI laws, but there’s one missing piece and that’s the sobriety checkpoints, which have been shown to reduce deaths by 25 to 30 percent in other states that have them.”  According to Goodman, 38 states nationwide and the District of Columbia currently have similar DUI check point laws in place.

Goodman, other lawmakers, MADD, and advocates for victims and survivors of drunk driving accidents have banded together knowing they have an extremely tough uphill battle to try to pass random DUI check points into law.  Past attempts to move DUI check points into law have all failed due to Washington State’s constitution having very strict privacy laws.  A report produced by the lawmakers and advocates will likely be handed over to state officials on December 4th to continue their push forward for DUI check points.

Those opposing DUI check points are not lying low, they are loudly voicing violations of State and Federal constitutional rights.  Many are saying Washington State is unique for having strict privacy laws and it should stay that way.  Doug Honig with the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of Washington State, shared his stance saying, “In our society, if you’re out and about on the highway and you aren’t doing anything wrong, law enforcement shouldn’t be stopping you.”  He continued, “It’s a matter of general freedom in our society.”

This issue of legalizing DUI check points is difficult, on one hand we want to keep all people safe, on the other hand it would cost the right to privacy while driving.  When it comes to civil liberties I think it is wise to remember the old saying, “If you give them an inch, they will take a mile.”  Meaning, if we give up our right to privacy while driving and allow police officers to investigate anyone for possible DUI what will come next… allowing random searches of vehicles… or allowing law enforcement to enter homes without cause or warrant?  The more we allow law enforcement to encroach on our daily lives, the less freedom we truly have.

The information above was derived from the article Sobering idea?  State floats idea of random DUI check points, written by Lindsay Cohen, Nov. 6th 2013 and can be found on Kiro.com.

 

Written by S.O