Man accused of lawnmower DWI
Police arrest man they say was driving a lawnmower while under the influence
By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
“There was a disturbance Sunday night that is under investigation,” said Iron Mountain Lake Police Chief Michael Kemp. “He had fled from police just after the incident occured.”
Kemp said the man had been located Monday at a residence in Iron Mountain Lake. He said his department had notified the sheriff’s department that the suspect might be at the house.
“While we were waiting for the deputies to arrive, the suspect came driving down Parkway Drive on a riding lawnmower,” Kemp said. “He was pulling a trailer with a case of beer in it. He also had a flask of whiskey in his pocket. The suspect failed a field sobriety test and blew a .115 once he was taken to the sheriff’s department.”
Kemp said the man was arrested for driving while intoxicated and for careless and imprudent driving. He said both are municipal charges.
“We had been receiving tips that a group of men had been driving a lawnmower from this house up to the store to purchase beer,” Kemp said. “The men were described as being drunk during these incidents. This case proved to be interesting because the guy we were looking for actually came to us.”
Kemp said this was the first time he has ever issued a DWI to someone driving a lawnmower and to his knowledge it’s a first for Iron Mountain Lake as well.
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at ccline@dailyjournalonline.com.
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Reader Comments (29)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal
bets posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Honest to goodness, the fool was intoxicated....how would you feel if the idiot on the lawnmower ran over your child or grandchild? It dosen't matter what he was driving...its the fact that he was under the influence
streetknight posted on Saturday, October 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Well........Hum alot of of points of view! and all are very GOOD, but figure this....I would rather the individual be riding a mower than a car or motorcycle....Right it only travels about 5 to 7 miles per hour..... but the lesser of the two evils. Further more Answer to the Chief's question.....Yes Officer Standford back in 1992 arrested a man on a lawn mower, but the individual was playing chicken with him on the roadway and refused to move for a responding police car. But for IML don't be a hitler! IML=Germany?????? Yes the law is black and white, but remember that there is alot of grey in the middle.
trucker_63601 posted on Saturday, October 11th, 2008 at 8:20 am
police cam video of DWI lawnmower man..
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/ml_player.swf?stream=http://www.ebaumsworld.com/2006/10/drunken-lawnmower-driver.flv
Paste that in your address bar for a good laugh. I'm not condoning drinking and driving but this is hilarious!!
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/ml_player.swf?stream=http://www.ebaumsworld.com/2006/10/drunken-lawnmower-driver.flv
Paste that in your address bar for a good laugh. I'm not condoning drinking and driving but this is hilarious!!
skippy posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I bet that if the police were not looking for him, he would of never got the DWI if they just saw him out driving. I understand that it is wrong to drink and drive. I get that, but if he walked to the store he could of gotten public intoxication. If he drove his vehicle he could of killed somebody. I think he did the same as most of us would have done exspecialy if you live in a private community, but he should of at least dropped the blade and cut his neighbors grass on the way.
Enufalrdy posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
tiredofbull...You really need to reread the article. The man was wanted for questioning by the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department in an unrelated incident that occurred Sunday night. That's why they waited on county...not their issue until they saw him driving down the street on the mower!...Yes, your golf cart is insured on your homeowners policy as long as being used for golfing...As for highbrow, I'm not being arrogant...just educated on insurance policies. And I might add that you are the one that stated in a previous post that "ALL COVERED ON YOUR HOMEOWNERS" and you were referring to riding mowers, golf carts and scooters. Again, no highbrow...just FYI.
Apnatic posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I don't know about some folks, why would it be ok to be drunk driving anything. Tickets have been issued for riding a bicycle drunk, why not a lawn mower, or ?? Do we really want drunk people on any vehicle, what if you did hit them and perhaps kill them, what a waste of life. The IM Police did their job, how about some credit for them. Would you do their job for what "your" taxes pay them? Think about it.
tiredofthebull posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Maybe i misread... but if the guy is riding around on his lawnmower.. in the HUGE community of IML, the cops probably were not doing their jobs if they couldn't find him..
WHy did they need to wait on county??? is IML police not allowed to arrest anyone???? were they scared to knock on a door????
as to your insurance... you have GOLF insurance???? only good on your property or on the golf course????
Take your highbrow and wipe it off. Still uninsured on the roadway then aren't you.. and illegal...
and no. the IML cops don't do their jobs unless they have to.
WHy did they need to wait on county??? is IML police not allowed to arrest anyone???? were they scared to knock on a door????
as to your insurance... you have GOLF insurance???? only good on your property or on the golf course????
Take your highbrow and wipe it off. Still uninsured on the roadway then aren't you.. and illegal...
and no. the IML cops don't do their jobs unless they have to.
Enufalrdy posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Tiredofthebull...Maybe you should reread the article. He fled from police during a previous incident;not this one. And I beg to differ on the "ALL COVERED UNDER YOUR HOMEOWNERS"...and I quote directly from a homeowners policy...We pay for the bodily injury or the property damage which results from a "motorized vehicle" which is designed only for use off public roads and which is used mainly to service insured premises. However, this coverage does not apply to bodily injury or property damage which results from a "motorized vehicle" owned by an insured while used for recreational purposes away from the "insured premises", other than a golf cart while used for golfing purposes. Also, I must say that you contradicted yourself. First you say the cop wasn't doing his job and then you say most cops don't care as long as you aren't causing problems...this man had caused problems earlier plus he was driving a lawn mower on the street, and according to you, that's illegal. So obviously, this cop WAS doing his job!
tiredofthebull posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
1NOSPIN - one more question. Since, per Mo state law, golf carts are illegal on public roadways, why are you paying for insurance on it seperatly from your homeowners?????
tiredofthebull posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Barleydo - first, you are required to have your orange triangle if it is farm equipment... if you don't, it's illegal on roadways no matter where you use it.
1NOSPIN - what kind of insurance is it? Is it motor vehicle Insurance??? if so, who issued it, because I know several people who are looking for that.......
1NOSPIN - what kind of insurance is it? Is it motor vehicle Insurance??? if so, who issued it, because I know several people who are looking for that.......
mobigdog posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
WOW!!! hey if you really want to scare the kids on Halloween, take them trick-or-treating at Iron Mountain Lake!!! BOOOOO
1NOSPIN posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
To Tiredofthebull:
FYI you can get insurance for your golf cart - it is seperate from your homeowners.
We have a proof of insurance card just for ours.
FYI you can get insurance for your golf cart - it is seperate from your homeowners.
We have a proof of insurance card just for ours.
dwsnmo posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
It's funny until he pulls out in front of your car and you hit him and he sues you!!
itsourtowntoo posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 10:40 am
As a concerned homeowner of Iron Mountain I must applaud the efforts of our Chief. It's only when he and others clean up our town that it will no longer have the reputation of "Deliverance". If I read correctly the police stated he had fled from the scene of a previous run in with the law and that was why he was picked up. To the good people of Iron Mountain Lake I say; Hope has arrived!
barelydo posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 9:51 am
To tiredofthebull: As with other topics you have commented on in the past you really do not know what you are talking about. A riding mower is considered farm equipment and legal to operate on a paved road in a safe manner just like a tractor. But not in a careless way or while impared.
tiredofthebull posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Ok. You want me to believe the officer is doing his job? The suspect was on a RIDING MOWER and the Officer said he just fled police..
A) He ran on foot, went to Lowes, bought a riding mower and cart and some beer and started driving home.
B) He fled on the mower and the cops couldn't keep up with him.. HA HA
As for insurance on a riding mower?? Get real.. can't get it on riding mowers, golf carts, or scooters...
ALL COVERED UNDER YOUR HOMEOWNERS....
Second - on the insurance and driver's licence - technically it's against Mo state law to drive one on the street. Hard to require insurance and an operator's licence when it's illegal to run it down the road anyway..
But then again, since they only do 5-7 mph, most cops don't care as long as you aren't causing problems.
SUSPECT FLEES FROM POLICE ON RIDING MOWER!!! COPS CALL FOR BACKUP FROM COUNTY!!! SUSPECT BUYS BEER AND GOES HOME!!!
A) He ran on foot, went to Lowes, bought a riding mower and cart and some beer and started driving home.
B) He fled on the mower and the cops couldn't keep up with him.. HA HA
As for insurance on a riding mower?? Get real.. can't get it on riding mowers, golf carts, or scooters...
ALL COVERED UNDER YOUR HOMEOWNERS....
Second - on the insurance and driver's licence - technically it's against Mo state law to drive one on the street. Hard to require insurance and an operator's licence when it's illegal to run it down the road anyway..
But then again, since they only do 5-7 mph, most cops don't care as long as you aren't causing problems.
SUSPECT FLEES FROM POLICE ON RIDING MOWER!!! COPS CALL FOR BACKUP FROM COUNTY!!! SUSPECT BUYS BEER AND GOES HOME!!!
AEads229 posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Ewwww....I lived like 5 mins away fro IML on hwy w at one point and I HATED IT...soooo yuuuuckkkkyyyy,,,
judi posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Word is getting out, we have a policeman here that is doing his job. Don't drive drunk or loaded in IML and don't abuse your animals either. Its getting better every day now that someone cares.
kris-e posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
oh my gosh this is the funniest thing i have heard all day. thanks dj
missouri_granny posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Hey, Vince Gill sang a song about this dude!
Well she might've took my car keys
But she forgot about my old John Deere
So he was pulling a trailer with extras? LOL Did he have it iced down? Maybe a few jars of Cocktail Peanuts?
Well she might've took my car keys
But she forgot about my old John Deere
So he was pulling a trailer with extras? LOL Did he have it iced down? Maybe a few jars of Cocktail Peanuts?
crystaldee posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I know people that live there and if there ever was a reality show there..it would probably be similar to the movie *DELIVERANCE*...(and the banjo plays)
Enufalrdy posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
To tiredofthebull...no matter how fast you are driving, you can still be operating the vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner. You'll notice that he was not issued a speeding ticket.
I am glad to see one jurisdiciton finally holding those that ride lawn mowers to the same standards as those of us who drive vehicles. Now, let's require insurance, driver's license, etc.
I am glad to see one jurisdiciton finally holding those that ride lawn mowers to the same standards as those of us who drive vehicles. Now, let's require insurance, driver's license, etc.
tiredofthebull posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
can you buy a light and siren for riding mowers???? make it a fair chase.....
haze48p posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 11:50 am
LOL..I love the idea of a Realty TV Show abt IML...hey my Dad got arrested back in the 70's for DUI while riding a riding lawnmower in ILL ;) because he didn't want to get arrested for driving a car drunk. Go figure.
T-Bone posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 11:33 am
They should do a reality tv show at Iron Mountain Lake, it would probably be better than Cops.
tiredofthebull posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 11:26 am
One question - how do you get a careless and imprudent driving on a lawnmower.. they hardly do 5mph.
Leave it to IML cops to charge him with a C&I instead of an illegal motor vehicle on a roadway....
Leave it to IML cops to charge him with a C&I instead of an illegal motor vehicle on a roadway....
elliott posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Apparently this man has lost some brain cells along the way.
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wish you could.
wish you could ride any vehicle with the appropriate lights markings on it on city streets.
I think it's a shame that you can't ride but a few select vehicles....
at the same time... you don't pay property tax on a golf cart, lawnmower, or go cart now...
As to the DWI - the guy chose to ride it drunk on the street... not that I think he would have done more than property damage...
The careless/imprudent ticket.. one more bs ticket that cops write to make sure someone gets in trouble either financially or in jail time.
just thought it was funny for the ticked the cop chose to write...
the highbrow.. yea.. keep wiping... miss "Just Educated"....
i'm edukatedd too!!!