We are all familiar with the nationwide effort over the last several decades aimed at bringing awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving. As part of that effort, most states have strengthened their driving under the influence laws and increased penalties for a violation of those laws. Nebraska is no exception. It may come as a shock then to learn that a Nebraska man was recently arrested four times in one month for DUI.
According to
news reports, 55 year old Douglas McWilliams was arrested September 18th for driving under the influence, making it his fourth arrest in just over a month for drunk driving. His latest arrest came after several drivers called authorities to report a driver who was driving erratically and running other motorists off the road. Authorities found McWilliams parked in the parking lot of a local grocery store. Results of his chemical test showed McWilliams to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than three times over the legal limit of 0.08. His driving privileges were also suspended at the time, meaning he should never have been behind the wheel of a vehicle.
It turns out that McWilliams has been arrested three other times since the beginning of August and charged with the same thing – driving under the influence. Records show that in two of those arrests results showed that McWilliams had a BAC level over four times the legal limit. His third recent arrest included a chemical test result of over three times over the legal limit, according to authorities. In that case, McWilliams allegedly hit a parked vehicle prior to his arrest. Law enforcement authorities impounded McWilliams’ vehicle after his most recent arrest and plan to maintain a hold on the vehicle until his pending cases are resolved. “We’re all very lucky. To be this intoxicated while driving, and not be involved in a serious accident is pure luck,” Chief Deputy Tom Wheeler said. “It’s a level of intoxication that some people might not survive.”
Records show that McWilliams already has two prior convictions for driving under the influence, one in 1988 and another in 2001, meaning his is now facing felony driving under the influence charges. If convicted, McWilliams could be facing mandatory jail time as well as a 15 year license suspension.
If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Nebraska contact the Petersen Law Office 24 hours a day at 402-513-2180 to discuss your case with an experienced DUI defense attorney.
Attorney Petersen was invited to join the National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD) organization in 2013. NAFDD vets thousands of lawyers and only chooses those who have achieved stellar results in DUI defense cases. Attorney Petersen was named one of the Top 50 defense attorneys in Nebraska out of more than 5,000.
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