DUI Issued to Man in Motorized Wheelchair

A man in Georgia was recently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, but his mode of transportation was not what you may assume. The man was not driving a car or even a truck; instead, he was operating his motorized wheelchair inside of a Kroger.

Danny Mitchell, 48, was arrested on Friday in Conyers. According to reports, Mitchell was operating his wheelchair in an unsafe manner outside of the store. Upon arriving on scene, officers witnessed Mitchel driving over plants and backing into the building. Mitchell was stopped, as it were, and a breath test was administered. The results of that test were not released to the media.

Mitchell allegedly told officers that he had taken trazadone, an anti-depressant, Valium, an anti-anxiety medication, and had drunk a pint of some type of alcohol. He told reporters that he uses the wheelchair because he can barely walk and was at Kroger to pick up a prescription.

As unbelievable as it sounds, you do not have to be operating a vehicle to be charged with driving under the influence. In Georgia and many other states, a bicycle, a riding lawn mower, and even a wheel chair are considered “vehicles” under current law. Operate any of these machines while intoxicated and you are putting yourself at risk of being arrested for DUI.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, no matter what type of vehicle you were operating, it is never a wise decision to represent yourself in court. You may know the basics, but you are not well-versed in the complexities and intricacies of DUI law.

You need an attorney who specializes in these types of cases. At Hawkins Spizman Fortas, let us put our extensive knowledge and experience to work for you. Call our offices today and we will review the facts of your case at no charge to you.