DUI Driver Arrested Again

[Bikepacker67]

Source (http://www.kirotv.com/news/9401275/detail.html)

SEATTLE -- Susan Lynn West was arrested again Sunday on suspicion of DUI and driving without a license.

West was charged in 1999 for the 1997 hit-and-run death of 38-year-old Mary Johnsen from Issaquah.

Johnsen was walking with her husband when West, driving a Dodge Caravan, veered onto the shoulder striking Johnsen from behind and throwing her 140 feet into the air.

West fled the scene of the accident where Johnsen died.

West was arrested later that day for driving under the influence. West’s blood alcohol level was .34, nearly three times the legal limit.

West was sentenced to 9 years in prison.

Eight months after Johnsen’s death, Gov. Gary Locke signed into law the “Mary Johnsen Bill” requiring repeat offenders to use an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. At the same time, Gov. Locke, also signed the law lowering the legal blood-alcohol level from .10 to .08.

“I must say, I was shocked when you came and told me this news," Johnsen’s husband, Keith, told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News, “I actually thought that part of her post prison sentence was to include an ignition interlock. I guess it's a perfect example of why the Mary Johnsen Act should have fully applied here.”

“I think we at least have to make sure we look very carefully at whether there are loopholes and shortcuts, and things that we missed the first time through, and tighten those up so things like this can be prevented, because it could have been another person," Johnsen said.

West’s bail is currently set at $150,000.

[-=£em in Pa=-]

But, just as we have come to expect someone had to die before
this issue was dealt with with a modicum of urgency. The outrage
will die and more cyclists will too. Alcohol abuse is tacitly approved
of in our society simply for the reason that the people who are entrusted
with laws and enforcement know that stringent enforcement might come back
to bite them or thier own family. It would be not only easy, but very profitable
to punish drunk drivers it is not done because lots of 'good' people would have to
pay the price, too.

[trackhub]

Not that this matters, but have you ever picked up the yellow pages for any large American city, and been a little surprised at the number of ads for lawyers who handle drunk driver cases? In Boston, it goes on for pages and pages. Some of the biggest, most attention-grabbing ads are for drunk-driver lawyers. Many have lines such as "No fee if you don't keep your license!", or "I guarantee you'll get your license back!"

I can't explain it, but I find it disturbing that an entire industry has been built on this.

[wahoonc]

I can't explain it, but I find it disturbing that an entire industry has been built on this.

If they couldn't make money at it we would have so many. Watch the late night ads for the ones trolling for Worker's Comp, Social Security/Disability, Product Liability, ad nauseum. If more people and corporations would take responsibilty for themselves...but then again you always have few looking for something for nothing.:rolleyes:

Aaron:)

[genec]

If they couldn't make money at it we would have so many. Watch the late night ads for the ones trolling for Worker's Comp, Social Security/Disability, Product Liability, ad nauseum. If more people and corporations would take responsibilty for themselves...but then again you always have few looking for something for nothing.:rolleyes:

Aaron:)


What about the ads for dealing with some industrial disease or the side effects of some medicine... Yikes... talk about strange industry. The US seems to be full of lawyers living off of situations like this.

[古強者死神]

No fee if you don't keep your license!

Im sorry I had to grin at that its funny in a bad way. It would be liking going to a doctor that said "1/2 off if you lose one of the family jewels"

or any other slogan for any job... it would be bad only a lawyer could get away with it as an advertisement.

[oscaregg]

Why don't we outsource the prosecution and punishment of "career" DUI's to a country that has a more effective judicial system for modifying their behavior? Perhaps this babe's case should be exported to Saudi Arabia. Hmmm, a woman drunk driver in their fascist Wahhabi-Moslem judicial system..........

[John E]

Why don't we outsource the prosecution and punishment of "career" DUI's to a country that has a more effective judicial system for modifying their behavior? Perhaps this babe's case should be exported to Saudi Arabia. Hmmm, a woman drunk driver in their fascist Wahhabi-Moslem judicial system.......... Sounds good to me ...

[Bikepacker67]

I think it's really simple...

1st time, suspend licence for 1 year.
2nd time, suspend licence for 10 years
3rd time, revoke licence for life.

If at any time you are caught driving while liscence is either suspended/revoked the vehicle is immedietely forfeited, and the scofflaw spends 1 year in jail.

Caught DUI-ing with suspended/revoked licence, 10 years in jail.

[jwbnyc]

Why not:

1st offense, lose license for life?

I don't see why there is a need to give anyone any slack when it comes to drinking and driving.

If there are extenuating circumstances let the judge decide.

If you are going drinking, make other arrangements for your transportation needs.

[rnorris]

I live less than a mile from the site of the fatal 1997 hit and run committed by West, which was well publicized in the community. It occurred in broad daylight, the road is straight as an arrow there, visibility is excellent, and the shoulder is nearly as wide as a lane there. I cycle and run along that road regularly. It still reminds me today that I can never "zone out" while riding, but need to be vigilant at all times- no matter how good the road is.