Posted on 03/09/2004 7:35:00 PM PST by chance33_98
Police: 10-Year-Old Driving For Drinker
Man Faces DUI, Contributing To Delinquency And Child Endangerment Charges
POSTED: 3:46 p.m. PST March 8, 2004
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A man who allegedly had a few too many drinks decided he shouldn't drive drunk -- and so handed off his car keys to his underage companions, police said.
Lionel Cerda told officers that he had been nodding off, so he first let a 14-year-old drive. B>But when police pulled the car over after midnight on Saturday, they found Cerda in the front seat, with empty bottles at his feet, the 14-year-old in the back with an open can of beer, and a 10-year-old at the wheel.
"This," said Lt. Dave Haskins, "is a strange one."
Officer Christina Abshire saw a car swerving and braking erratically, going 5 mph. She followed the car, then pulled it over. As she walked over to the driver's window, the car sped off. She then pulled it over again, and found the three in the car.
Abshire said Cerda explained to her in thick, slurred speech that the girls were his relatives, and he was teaching them how to drive. Then the girls told the officer they had gone with Cerda to buy alcohol, but he was hitting things, so they took the wheel.
Cerda was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child endangerment.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.