According to the Jacksonville Sheriffs office in the first six months of 2008 there were 54 traffic fatalities. 17 of the deaths were caused by drunk drivers. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s office encourages drivers to call 911 if they see an intoxicated driver. I have personally called 911 after seeing another car swerve in and out of their lane. I tried to stay as close to the car as possible to try to get the license tag for the police. A call to police about a drunk driver turned into a scary situation for two teenagers in Indianapolis, Indiana over the weekend.
Kristina Vidito called 911 to report a drunk driver in front of her on the city’s south side.
The 17-year-old girl and her boyfriend, Joe Page, were on their way from a school event late Friday night.
Page says the driver of the car in front of the couple, “started swerving in his lane, so I knew he was drunk.”
The man in the blue pickup, 19-year-old Casey Kappes, almost forced the teens off the road.
While Page drove, Vidito talked with a 911 operator.
The dispatcher heard what happened next, as Vidito described the truck suddenly going into reverse and slamming into the front of her car.
“The truck was on top. It looked like the roof was coming down, so I curled up to keep from getting smashed,” Vidito said.
“The windshield was holding the weight of his car, so I think God helped us out there,” Page said.
Vidito and Page got out and ran to a house unhurt.
Police arrested Kappes on alcohol and drug charges.
An empty alcohol bottle was still in the bed of his truck on Monday.
I think I will stay farther back the next time I report a drunk driver.
Drivers in Jacksonville and around the state can take advantage of a great service if they drink too much this holiday weekend. AAA Auto Club South and Anheiser Busch offer their “Tow to Go” program June 30 through July 8 throughout Florida, metro Atlanta, metro Nashville and in Savannah, Ga.