Another Possible MLB-DUI

by ExNorthsider on Dec 28, 2007 1:44 PM CST

[This is only alleged at this point]

Leyritz arrested for DUI + DUI resulting in death of a human being.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3171228

LaRussa, Hancock, etc.-- no lessons learned, apparently. I'm no prude and I'm no saint, but deaths caused by drunk drivers are avoidable: stop drinking and driving.

Although we can only hope to slightly improve the fate of human beings with regard to diseases, wars, famines, etc., we would seem to be capable of taking a cab or calling a friend. But I'm dreaming, I know.

What a pisser.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Whether...

... DUI involves someone famous, like Leyritz, or just someone down the street, it's still something that should never be done.

Leyritz' life is ruined, if he's found guilty of this, and it's his own fault.

Especially at this time of year... don't drink & drive. Have a driver. Take a cab. Please.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 28, 2007 1:49 PM CST reply actions

Well Said

Trust me, from personal experience that has come at an enormous emotional and financial cost, it's not worth it folks. I learned a lot about life and myself and consider myself to be a much better person in the wake of what happened, but I think back to my behavior prior to my incident and wonder how I operated on such an ignorantly stupid level of existence. Nobody died in my case, and I don't know if I could have lived with the guilt of what Leyritz has apparently done.

Before you pick up 'just this one' that leads to three or four and then rationalize the 'it's only a few miles to my house' or 'I can't leave my car here overnight' excuses that end with you driving over the legal limit, think about the worst case scenario that can result from your behavior. Think about having to face your victims in court or having to face your friends and family to explain how you destroyed your car and the lives of innocent people or what you're going to tell your future employers after having to write 'yes' on the application when it asks if you've ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. Think about how you'll be able to sleep at night knowing you killed somebody because you couldn't have a good time without sucking down a few drinks. Think about what you could do with the $30,000 or so that DUI will ultimately cost you. Once you have, order a coke at the bar or keep the number of a cab company handy and have them drive you home and pick you up the next day to go get your car. This isn't moralistic propaganda, it's from my experience and those of other people who failed to heed the warnings and stories like those of Jim Leyritz.

The sad part is that I've watched people who I BEGGED not to get behind the wheel of a car, after telling them what happened to me, hop into the vehicle and drive away. A couple of them wished they'd have listened.

Since I left, I've always missed Chicago but never as much as I do right now!

by TMOX on Dec 28, 2007 9:09 PM CST up reply actions

Thank you.

Great post.

"These are terrible times, and I shouldn't joke about them." --Warren Zevon

by ExNorthsider on Dec 28, 2007 9:29 PM CST up reply actions

Ditto Al.....

Crazy.

Can't wait for the Cubs in '08!!!

by fuzzycubfan on Dec 28, 2007 2:13 PM CST reply actions

This sucks....

period. Sorry for the victims.

MMMMM...my mother-in-law's homemade ravioli!

by Kinky Reggae on Dec 28, 2007 3:39 PM CST reply actions

Why do rich celebrities...

...even take the chance of driving themselves if they know they're going to be drinking? If they're too cool to be seen in a cab, they could still hire a limo or a car service for a fraction of what a DUI will cost them.

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Dec 28, 2007 3:47 PM CST reply actions

I have said this before

but it's worth saying again. 2 beers...2 glasses of wine...can put some people over the 'legal' limit. If you do drink -- better check all your taillights, etc...because if you are pulled over -- and the officer smells alcohol -- look out!

Anybody -- anybody -- with minimal drinking can get a DUI, and you can be arrested UNDER the so-called legal limit.

And, you don't even have to have your vehicle in motion -- and you can be parked at home, in bed -- and the poice can knock on your door, and arrest you, because you were spotted driving erratically on the freeway.

I was amazed to learn all of this. So, you don't be amazed -- designate a sober driver, take a cab, or use public trasnportation.

Not just 'celebs' get DUI's and do not think it cannot happen to you -- just because you had a couple of beers.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 28, 2007 9:52 PM CST reply actions

Yes and No.

DUI is stupid. It is not something that anyone should endorse. Its enforcement differs depending on the State. And your stated examples do not necessarily hold water in all jurisdictions.

In some jurisdictions you cannot be charged with DUI if you do not have a blood alcohol level above a certain point. You are certainly not immune from a traffic offense or offenses, but not DUI. Further, your claim that the Police can knock on the door and arrest you because someone spotted "you" driving on the freeway just doesn't hold a lot of water. Firstly, they would have to prove that it was you driving the car, not just your car, and secondly, they would have to prove that you were legally drunk when driving. On thing that some people do when they think this could happen is take a drink or several drinks when they get home. At that point it is essentially impossible to prove that you were legally intoxicated when driving. And because of this, the Police don't go to people's houses and arrest fools who got lucky. They have better things to do -- like stopping the fools still on the road.

by frustratedfan on Dec 28, 2007 10:25 PM CST up reply actions

I have talked with

people who run the DUI Education program in CA. (This one is run by San Diego State) These are LEGIT, real arrests in CA. I could tell you more, unbelievable arrests in just SD County alone. The individual, who teaches these classes told me these are REAL, ACTUAL stories, related by students.

How about another one?
Guy was sleeping in his car. Keys were on the seat. Car was parked on a city street. The police knock on the door, to see if he's OK. He says he is. (He's been drinking) They smell alcohol. He's arrested because of the 'reasonable' assumption he could have fired up the auto and driven away. His BAC was over the legal limit, when he blew -- said the instructor. (This guy was in in one of his classes) The driver/sleeper was arrested, charged with DUI.

I don't make this stuff up, it's too crazy. Same with the 'arrested while in bed.' The person involved was spotted on a freeway -- somebody called in the plate -- the police caught up with the driver at home, 30 mins later -- arrested, BAC was over .08.

This can happen in California. Your state may vary. But these hair-raising stories related to me will keep me away from ANY drinking, even at a restaurant, with dinner, and driving. Too scary.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 29, 2007 1:03 AM CST up reply actions

And a good lawyer

could and probably did get these cases thrown out. In the case of the guy arrested at home, all you would have to do is raise the possibility that the guy had several drinks after getting home.

I know a guy that was legally over the limit and had marijuana in his possession. Everything was thrown out of court because his lawyer proved that the officer did not have probable cause. The guy had spun his tires on loose sand or gravel on the road and was driving too slowly (5 to 10 under in a residential area) and that was what the officer used to pull him over. And the judge ruled that was insufficient. So even though the guy was totally guilty, he got off scott-free (except for the thousands he paid his lawyer).

If in the at home and sleeping case it was an anonymous tip to the police, I don't see how that would ever stand up in court. Generally officers find the guy still driving in an impaired state and the stop is made based on their own observations. But maybe it's that anonymous tip thing that explains why everybody blocks out their license plates when selling cars on eBay though.

As far as the intoxicated fellow sleeping in his car, if he was sleeping in near proximity to the bar, it's possible that he could beat that rap too. I know a fellow who got nailed for DUI when parked, but he was in a rural area several miles from any bar or restaurant that serves. It was reasonable to believe that he drove himself to the spot where he was found parked and intoxicated. But if the California fellow could reasonably established that he didn't drive after imbibing, depending on California law, of course, he could very well beat that arrest.

Not that I am a supporter of drinking and driving, but the important thing to remember is that an arrest is not a conviction. Unfortunately, I read way too often in the paper where people get out of convictions after arrests.

by FrankSereno on Dec 29, 2007 5:40 AM CST up reply actions

In ALL of these cases

The individuals either were found guilty, (or perhaps pleaded no contest) according to my contact at the SDSU Alcohol Education program (This is the 'school' DUI offendsrs must attend in this county, it varies by each county who runs the program)

Therefore, all of the individuals were in a education program -- I do not know the length, but as a rule, the education sessions are 3 months, 6 months or 18 months.

The "DUI" while sleeping -- the individual had to "blow" and blew above .10. (There are signs on CA Freeways -- call 411 to report Drunk drivers) Somebody did so -- a police agency showed up at this individual's door -- the person blew -- and was arrested. (The plate was phoned into the CHP Dispatch, they were at the persons door in 30 mins) I know it sounds beatable, but according to the teacher I talked to -- that didn't happen, the (female) driver was in his class. In these classes, people must relate their DUI story -- that's what she told the class.

I do not know if any of these 'guilty' decisions came after a court case, where the individual fought -- and lost, or decided on "no contest." I wasn't told that, I didn't ask. These stories were related to me this summer.

The DUI 'while sleeping' was doing so in front of a coffee house. The guy wound up in a 3 month education program as a 1st time offender.

CA is probably the toughest state on impared driving....and this spurred me to compare -- and other states are much more lenient.

Believe me, I'd have a hard time believing these stories if they didn't come from an instructor in the DUI program -- who related them to me.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Dec 30, 2007 7:53 PM CST up reply actions

The bottom line...

is that this type of thing is completely preventable. If this is true and Leyritz's life is ruined by it then it is his own fault.

I also am not an innocent, hell I got a DUI within 2 weeks of my 21st birthday, but this is something that doesn't have to happen. I still go out and have a few drinks, I just tend to frequent a bar where friends are employed and I tend to give up my keys upon entry and ask for them back when it is time to leave. If they give them back I might drive. If not I ask the to call me a cab.

I will not sacrifice my freedom or another's life for my "good time".

"I'm not giving him a high-five ever again." - Sammy Sosa, joking about Moises Alou's personal habits

by MorePiePlease on Dec 28, 2007 11:42 PM CST reply actions

Cool idea.

I don't know if this is something that has been around for awhile or just prevalent out here in AZ or not, but his New Year's Eve, many restaurants and bars out here are putting these things that look like ice cubes, that blink red and blue, simulating a plice cars lights. Purpose ofcourse is to remind people to take it easy if they're driving or be prepared to pay the consequences.

Arizona easily has one of the country's strictest laws against DUI's.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. ` Adam Savage Mythbusters

by lemon20pie on Dec 29, 2007 5:07 AM CST reply actions

I didn't specify

that these things are put in mixed drinks.

I did a quick google search and they're nothing new at all. I'm sure most of you have seen them. It was new to me.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. ` Adam Savage Mythbusters

by lemon20pie on Dec 29, 2007 5:15 AM CST up reply actions

It's news to me

but then I rarely have alcohol in a bar or restaurant. Occasionally my wife and I will split a margarita at a restaurant, but other than that what little I do drink is done at home and no driving afterwards. Although I suppose that is dangerous as some anonymous person could call my license plate into police claiming that I had been driving wildly and I would be arrested while sleeping.

by FrankSereno on Dec 29, 2007 5:45 AM CST up reply actions