The Times-Picayune reports that State Police arrested a man who drove his children to the Louisiana State Police office in Kenner while drunk:
State Police usually must take to the roads to hunt for inebriated drivers. But they had to look no farther than their own Troop B lobby in Kenner early Sunday when a New Orleans father reeking of alcohol popped in to notify them of his family strife, an arrest report said.
A trooper in the parking lot saw the suspect park his vehicle outside Troop B headquarters at 2101 Interstate 10 Service Road about 2:45 a.m. With him were his 2-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son.
The suspect stepped inside of the lobby to explain that he was on his way to Texas with his children because he thought his wife was cheating on him, said Trooper Evan Harrell, spokesman for the State Police.
“He left the house and took the kids with him,” Harrell said. “But he didn’t want anybody to think he kidnapped his children, so he went to the nearest police station to explain what happened.”
As the suspect spun his tale, a trooper noticed that his breath smelled of alcohol, his eyes were glassy and bloodshot and he was unsteady on his feet, the report said. The suspect performed poorly on a field sobriety test, and his blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.145 percent, the report said. The legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent.
The suspect, 43, whose listed address was 3801 Chef Menteur Highway, was booked with DWI-child endangerment and two municipal traffic attachments. He also was wanted by Gretna police on an unrelated charge.
He was still being held Monday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. Bond was set at $2,100, but jail officials said he also is being held at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Troopers released the children into the custody of their mother, Harrell said.
If you or anyone you know has been arrested for driving drunk, contact Harmon, Smith and Vourvoulias at 504-717-2093 immediately for a free consultation. Our experienced New Orleans, Louisiana DWI defense lawyers will provide you with the representation you need in order to protect your rights.
