A teenage driver was arrested for DUI and underage drinking early Sunday morning.
A Graham County deputy traveling south on highway 191 early Sunday morning at approximately 12:10 AM passed a vehicle heading north traveling at about 70 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. The deputy turned around and began pursuing the vehicle. Before he caught up to the car, he noticed it was swerving in its lane. The deputy performed a traffic stop of the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as a 16-year-old male. In addition to the driver there were four other teenage passengers in the car.
When the deputy asked for identification, the young driver initially handed his proof of insurance, thinking it was his license. The teen then admitted that he did not have his driver’s license with him. While talking to the driver, the deputy noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the car. The deputy also noted that the teen had poor motor skills, bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech.
The teen told the deputy that he had been drinking at a party at his residence and left to pick up some of his friends. He was apparently on his way back to the party when the deputy stopped him.
The young man was asked to exit the vehicle and the deputy noted that he was unable to keep his balance and staggered when he walked. The youth submitted to a portable breath test, which registered .187 BAC. The teen driver was arrested and the parents of the other teen passengers were contacted to come pick up their kids.
The driver’s father was contacted to pick him up and the young man was released to his custody.
