Suspected tipsy driver topples new car

Take a look at this story, and you’ll see why this fellow didn’t drive way from his single-car accident …

Witnesses to this single-car accident say they don’t know if the result was outrageously poor driving, or just a tipsy driver.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Fortunately, no one was injured when a snazzy red Ford GT flipped on its side and slid into a utility pole. Traffic was light, on NE Glisan St at NE 118th Avenue, when this unusual wreck occurred at about 6:20 p.m. on May 23.

“I was going westbound on Glisan,” recounted rear-view-mirror witness Mona. “I heard something, looked up into my mirror, and saw the car that was following me go over and up on the curb and land on its side.”

Portland Police Bureau officers chat with the man witnesses say flipped his shiny new car.

Mona said she wasn’t concerned for her own safety, but she did carefully make a u-turn and drive into a parking lot next to the wrecked vehicle. Bystanders helped the driver get out of the car – which still bore dealer plates – now lying smashed in the street.

A Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division officer watches as this driver does his best to follow his instructions and “walk the line” on the sidewalk.

A Portland police Bureau Traffic Division officer gave the driver of the car a series of field sobriety tests. Considering how badly the car was damaged, it was surprising that the its driver could even stand upright, much less attempt to walk a straight line.

While it’s unclear whether or not the driver was actually charged with Driving while Intoxicated, we observed him being handcuffed and lead away.

According to officers on the scene, no other vehicles were involved, and no one was reported injured.

Regardless of the driver was sober or impaired – the resulting damage to this car was unmistakable.

Comments are closed.