By Alliance Police Department
ALLIANCE, Neb. - Shortly after midnight, on Saturday, Nov. 1, an Alliance juvenile, currently on probation for a prior DUI, was involved in a crash on Potash Avenue where he struck a parked pickup truck before continuing to the intersection of 4th Street and Grand Avenue. The driver’s parents reported that their child was intoxicated. A DUI investigation conducted by Sergeant David LaDuke revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.215, more than twice the legal limit.
Despite causing a crash while intoxicated, the juvenile probation officer determined the offense did not meet their criteria for detention. Officers were therefore required to release the juvenile to the parents.
The juvenile was charged with:
-Driving Under the Influence, BAC +0.15
-Driving Under the Influence, Second Offense
-Leaving the Scene of an Accident
-Minor in Possession of Alcohol
-Refusal of Preliminary Breath Test
-Open Container
-Willful Reckless Driving
Statement from Chief David Leavitt:
“Drinking and driving is a serious threat to public safety. It is extremely frustrating that Nebraska’s juvenile system does not allow officers to detain juvenile offenders even in cases of repeated violations that endanger the community. Situations like this underscore the urgent need for an overhaul of our juvenile justice system to protect the public and hold offenders accountable. Hopefully, this juvenile will be held accountable in court.”
The Alliance Police Department urges the community to drive responsibly and reminds the public that drinking and driving poses significant dangers to everyone on the road.