Both drivers in crash face charges
KEITH COUSINS/Staff writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years AGO
COEUR d'ALENE - A two-vehicle crash that happened early Sunday morning in Coeur d'Alene resulted in a dual arrest. Each of the drivers involved - Joe Fitzgerald of Hayden, and Ryan Roberge of Coeur d'Alene - were booked into Kootenai County jail on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
The incident was reported to police by a representative of Scott's Taxi of Coeur d'Alene, and it highlights what can happen when holiday spirits get too high and hit the road.
Tina Stuart, manager of Scott's, told The Press Monday that their drivers are always encouraged to call law enforcement if they encounter suspicious drivers on the road.
"We call it in immediately," Stuart said. "It's a community safety issue. We want our friends and family to be safe out there on the roads."
Stuart added that New Year's Eve festivities increase the volume of traffic the cabs receive and they always recommend getting a ride in a cab, as opposed to taking a ride in a police car.
"We don't want them out there driving," Stuart said.
Neither does local law enforcement.
Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood said her department will be conducting DUI emphasis patrols on New Year's Eve.
"Our officers will be out in force making every effort to keep intoxicated drivers off the roadway in order to keep our citizens safe," Capt. Steve Childers said of the emphasis patrols. "We wish everyone a great holiday season but ask for common sense to prevail by people assigning designated drivers."
Some local drinking establishments do their best to ensure that their customers don't get behind the wheel when they're impaired.
Certain bars, such as Razzles in Hayden, hire cab companies like Scott's for large volume evenings like tonight. Stuart said the bars pay to have their customers safely driven to and from their establishments.
"That way they (the bars) don't have to worry about their customers driving," Stuart said. "A lot of bars in the area do that."
Scott's and many other area cab companies also offer a round-trip discount for customers hoping to safely celebrate the holiday.
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