Austin DWI Attorney Blog

Bradford Barron Maples has been charged with driving drunk after hitting three bicyclists. Maples, 28, hit the cyclists around 8:30 Saturday morning. He was arrested and booked for drunk driving at the Baldwin County Corrections Center, though additional charges may be filed later. His bail was set at $1000.

According to Alabama State troopers, the two of the victims were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The third was flown by helicopter to nearby Mobile. None of the injuries appeared to be life threatening.

Currently Austin City Council is discussing an ordinance that would mandate drivers give cyclists a three foot buffer when passing them to avoid accidents like these. Though in this case the driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated, many cyclists here in the Austin area complain that they risk their life when they ride their bikes at any time.

A Grand Jury dropped a case against two Tunnel Hill men who had been charged with drunk driving for riding horses while intoxicated. The jury 'no-billed' the case, stating that it is not against the law to ride a horse while drunk. According to drunk driving laws, charges of driving under the influence in Georgia are applicable to those operating a vehicle, and a vehicle is defined as a device. According to a District Attorney, a horse is not a device.

The Grand Jury's finding was not received well by the local police chief. He said that drunks riding horses endanger themselves and others, causing "a serious situation".