At first, everyone is aware that drinking and driving a car are incompatible, yet many do not realize this rule also applies to lawnmowers.
Forsyth County deputies report that Kenneth Johnson, 22, crashed his white Ford Fusion into a 68-year-old who was cutting his yard while driving drunk and texting at the same time, police say.
Lawn Mower DUI Arrests in Georgia
Georgia DUI laws have been used to successfully arrest people driving lawn mowers under the influence of alcohol. One case involved an 18-year-old driving his mower into his neighbor’s house before being arrested for DUI, underage drinking and disorderly conduct.
Another individual from Middle Georgia was stopped for DUI while riding his mower on the wrong side of the road. Deputies noted that his breath smelled of alcohol and they saw evidence of this in his lawn mower’s footrest: an open bag of beer!
Georgia DUI laws include an expansive definition of what constitutes a motor vehicle, including golf carts, riding lawn mowers, mopeds, bulldozers, Zamboni ice resurfacing machines and horses – anything with wheels that can travel on public roads can be considered “motor vehicles.” The only requirement is that they contain an internal combustion engine to power their movement on public roads.
Lawn Mower DUI Arrests in Indiana
Lawn mower operators Eric Wren from Georgia learned this the hard way when his ride was pulled over for DUI after police detected alcohol on his breath and saw him drinking from a beer can while operating his lawn mower on the roadway.
He claimed he drove the mower to a convenience store and purchased beer, before being arrested by a deputy for DUI, among other offenses. Sobriety tests were administered against him before charges of DUI were laid against him.
Last week, Paul Nix of Cumming in Forsyth County was tragically killed while mowing his front yard when 22-year-old Kenneth Johnson lost control of his vehicle on a curve and crashed into his lawnmower, according to reports by the sheriff’s office. Authorities suspect Johnson’s distraction due to text messaging at the time of collision as possible contributory factor.
Lawn Mower DUI Arrests in Fulton County
Fulton County man arrested for DWI while riding his riding lawn mower may seem like an odd story to circulate online and in late night news shows; but any DWI arrest is serious business and this one was no different.
Police state he smelled of alcohol on his breath and was seen yelling at people and vehicles on the street while shooting at a lawnmower in his driveway, along with shooting numerous rounds from his shotgun on property. They later located several spent shotgun shells.
On Thursday afternoon, Paul Nix of Cumming, aged 68 years, was mowing his lawn when Kenneth Johnson, 22, driving a white Ford Fusion failed to negotiate a curve and hit it head-on. Johnson was later charged with DUI, failure to yield and driving with a suspended license; and has been removed from Dickey Bub, where suspects stole six lawnmowers prior to the collision. Dickey Bub has stated its intent to take steps against similar thefts in future.
Lawn Mower DUI Arrests in Newton County
Though rare, getting arrested for DUI while operating a lawn mower is something a Middle Georgia resident learned the hard way after using his mower on an illegal beer run.
Lonnie Spoon reportedly took his mower to a gas station on Highway 19 South in Bolingbroke where a caller reported him looking intoxicated, prompting a deputy to respond to the scene.
Spoon was administered several sobriety tests and placed under arrest for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. He admitted drinking one beer earlier that day, with his blood alcohol content measuring 0.135%.
Eureka police are conducting an investigation into a possible stolen lawncare equipment ring after six riding lawnmowers were stolen from Dickey Bub Farm and Home. Police suspect three individuals from Georgia and North Carolina of taking these mowers.
