RICHMOND, Maine — A Harpswell man was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol by Richmond police early Friday morning after they say he crashed into a curb while trying to “clutch start” his car.
According to Richmond Police Department, 26-year-old Wade Welner of 24 Harbor Heights in Harpswell was arrested at 3:32 a.m. Friday after he allegedly tried to jump-start his car by rolling it down the hill on Main Street toward Front Street in an attempt to start it.
However, police report that Welner “failed to have the keys in the ignition when doing this so the steering wheel was locked, and the car crashed into the curbing causing minor damage to the car, a 2007 Chevy two-door.”
Police Chief Scott MacMaster said the incident was reported by another motorist. Officer Doug Bellevue responded and upon speaking to Welner, observed that Welner appeared intoxicated, had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, MacMaster said. Welner was taken to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset and his car was towed by Rick’s Towing.
No one was injured and only the car sustained damage.
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lol failed to have the key in the ignition…..here`s your sign
I remember over 40 years ago having someone stop me late at night asking me to push him with my car to jump start his car. Not wanting a confrontation I did so. Just as he pulled away from me after it started the local cops pulled around me and chased and caught ihim. He was being chased by them and had got away from them but his car stalled. I got to witness the stop and OUI arrest and and the pleasure of being questioned and let go.
You can’t “operate” a vehicle without keys in the ignition.
bicycle
Ive never read the law, but Operating Under the Influence can have many meanings, for the obvious, and the not so. Car, motorcycle, atv, sure. But a garden tractor on your lawn? Bicycle? I operate an Estwing everyday, while never under the influence, if I were could I be charged by the police? Maybe i’ve had a few beers, and i’m operating a shovel to clean up dog poop in my driveway 28′ from the center line? Now be kind and only one of you post the actual statute!
What counts as a motor vehicle? Cars, trucks, a commercial vehicle that you drive for work, motorboats – including any watercraft propelled in any manner by machinery (for example, a canoe is not a motor vehicle, but a fishing boat with a detachable motor is). Off-road recreational vehicles also are considered motor vehicles – such as snowmobiles, ATVs, and off-highway motorcycles.
So one could ride a bicycle while under the influence? And what about methadone? A person can drive theirselves home under the influence of that drug. Perhaps so long as it’s not a motor boat?
No. You can even be arrested for intoxicated walking. I know someone that was arrested fo that once.
I’m sure they were arrested for public intoxication, not O.U.I….
It was written up as walking while intoxicated. We thought it was funny, because he wasn’t driving and was taken to jail. the ticken was for intoxicated walking. It embarrassed his mom.
You can also be get an OUI for a canoe without a motor. Check with the game Wardens
hmm… what counts as a motor vehicle…. your question answers it self. a vehicle with a motor…. how ever in maine, you can be charged with OUI on a horse, a bicycle. all the officers discretion
You are ok to mow and drink, as long as its on your land…..
Driving, operating or being in physical control of a motor vehicle means you were not simply a passenger in the vehicle, and/or you had access to the ignition key, even if the car is not running! If the vehicle’s keys are near you, and you can reach them and turn the vehicle on, you still could be determined to be in physical control of the vehicle
Even if your trying to clutch start your vehicle, and dont have the key in the ignition but in your pocket you can still get charged with OUI .. only in Maine.
The Volvo Suv can be started without keys in the ignition. They do have t be in the car though. Check it out.
Things like would not happen if not for all the unintended consequences that resulted from improvements made to the Model T like doing away with the crank sticking into the front to start the engine.
Maybe they need a new legal classification: Attempted O.U.I.