Thursday, June 26, 2008

I helped nab a bad guy!

Ok, so I got a new computer, so I can get caught up on my exciting weekend a few weeks ago. I happened on Saturday the 14th. I had taken the kids to the Orem Summerfest for the fireworks. We went back to my mom's house and dropped my dad off. We were on our way home from Orem when I get behind a silver Jeep Cherokee at 1600 North and State Street in Orem, around 10:30 p.m. I noticed that he was swerving and I was a little nervous. I kept thinking "He's driving like he's drunk or something." So I had a battle with myself. I debated on whether to call the police or not. As I followed him towards the freeway I decided that if he got in I-15 that I would definitely call the police, but if he didn't then I wouldn't worry about it. Then what happened...He got on the freeway! So then I had another battle with myself..."Who do I call? We are on the freeway and I don't know the Highway Patrol's number. It's not really an emergency so I don't think I should call 911. Should I even do anything?" Then, just as I had decided to not do anything, he nearly ran off the road! So I decided to call 911, and they would know what to do. I picked up my cell phone and dialed. I was sooo nervous. They anwsered and asked about my emergency, I said that it wasn't an emergency that I was having, but I thought that I was driving behind a drunk driver. They said thank you for calling and connected me to the Highway Patrol. Now I was really nervous and shaking. The dispatcher came on the line and asked what was going on. I told her what I saw and she put me on hold. A minute later she came on and told me to follow him, and keep her updated with his driving patterns. So I did. They did not have an officer close, so I would need to keep following until one bacame available. I kept her updated on how he was driving, and the near misses of driving off the road and almost hitting other vehicles. My kids were in the car too, which made it a little more scary. She informed me that the nearest officers would be waiting at 106th south in Sandy. I had to follow him clear up there. Then she told me that the officers were waiting on the on ramp at 106 and when I came near the exit I was to put on my flashers and the officers would know which car I was so they could find the drunk driver. I was nearing the exit and told the dispatcher that I had my flashers on, and that I could see the officers on the side of the road. She relayed that info to the waiting officers. As soon as I passed then I told the dispatcher who told the officers. They pulled off from the side of the road and came up right behind me. They then quickly pulled out from behind me and located the Jeep. They pulled him over and the dispatcher told me I had to pull over too so that I could talk to the officers and possibly write a statement. I pulled in behind the officers and waited. After about 20 minutes an officer came to the window and said that I needed to fill out a statement on what I saw and all my information. He gave me the form and I filled in out. It was now around 11:30 p.m. He came back to the car and told me that the guy had admitted to driving while using Lortabs and could medicine. So he will prabaly get a DUI for drug use. I was then told that if this goes to court that I will need to testify on what I witnessed. After that, he told me that I could go and if anything further needed to be done, I would be contacted. He also thanked me for calling this in and for staying with it. So I pulled away from the side of the road, turned around on 7200 South (that's where we ended up), and jumpedback on the freeway for home.
WOW! My adreneline was pumping so hard! The kids were excited that theywere part of the action. I got home and told JD about it. I was so hyped up that I had a hard time sleeping (like I don't anyway, but this made it worse!) I also called my brother who is an officer in Cedar City and told him about it. He said that it was good of me to call. He said that more people need to call when they see something like that.
Just think, that guy could have killed someone. I helped stop him! It was so exciting, but nerve racking!
So, my question to you...Have you ever called the police because of a suspected drunk driver? Or would you call if you were behind a car that you believe is driving under the influence. Believe me, it was not as easy as it sounds. You don't want to feel stupid or get in trouble if he isn't really driving under the influence. So...would you?

5 comments:

Lindsay said...

My friend is a 911 dispatcher and she gets alot of those calls after someone has gotten hurt. People just call to say that they were witness to the bad driver, but they don't call in until they see something has happened. So good for you to call ahead. More of us should do that.

Jodi Jo said...

Your brother is an officer in Cedar? I am from Cedar City! We are actually going down there next weekend. What is your brother's name and how long has he been down there?

Aubri n Scott said...

You go GIRL!

Natelli Johnston said...

way to go Andrea! I have called on a driver before, but it was not nearly as exciting as that!

Unknown said...

Have you ever considered a career in law enforcement?

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