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These are the people passing gun laws to "protect the public"?
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- Chris Hurst speaks out after getting pulled over for suspected drunk driving.
Chris Hurst shared a statement on Facebook saying he is "not above the law" and is "deeply sorry."
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WSET) -- A Virginia legislator was pulled over Sunday, Jan. 26 on suspicion of drunk driving.
According to Christiansburg Police's Public Relations Director, Melissa Demmitt, an officer pulled over Delegate Chris Hurst, D-Montgomery County, on suspicion of drinking and driving on Sunday at approximately 2 a.m.
Demmitt says Lt. Stephen Swecker initiated a traffic stop on the U.S. 460 Bypass, between the downtown Christiansburg and Peppers Ferry Road exits, after he observed the vehicle swerve across the right side fog-line several times.
The vehicle was also seen speeding for a period of time.
When Lt. Swecker approached Hurst in the driver side of the vehicle, he said he noticed that his eyes were red and he smelled alcohol.
Swecker then obtained Hurst's driver's license and conducted a routine check of the license status. He then explained his observations to Hurst and asked him to follow his pen with his eyes. After noticing a lack of smooth pursuit, he then asked Hurst to step out of the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests.
Swecker administered three field sobriety tests and a preliminary field breath test. The results of a preliminary breath test conducted in the field are used as an investigative tool but are not admissible as evidence in court.
Demmitt says that Hurst complied with the officer's request and performed all the tests.
Hurst's preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .085 percent which is above the .08 percent legal limit.
Swecker said he determined that by the time Hurst was brought into the magistrate's office for a formal breathalyzer test, which is the only admissible test in court, Hurst would be under the legal limit.
Demmitt said that the officer told Hurst and his girlfriend, who blew a .06 BAC, below the legal limit, to go to Walmart to pass the time.
Hurst's girlfriendThe officer said he was aware that Hurst is a delegate, but neither the officer nor Hurst mentioned this fact at any time during the encounter. drove them to the store. He first asked the two if there was anyone else who could come pick them up and drive.
According to Section IV, Article 9 of the Constitution of Virginia, unless a legislator has committed treason, a felony, or a breach of peace, legislators are immune from arrest while the General Assembly is in session.
Demmitt says neither the officer nor Hurst mentioned this law, but the officer was aware of the law’s existence because it’s taught during the police academy.
Also, this provision of the State Constitution makes it highly unlikely that Hurst could have been prosecuted in court even if he had been arrested.
Demmitt says "the officer weighed all of the factors and made a judgment call, as is done each and every time an officer decides whether or not to make an arrest. The officer, Lt. Stephen Swecker, is highly experienced in DUI detection and enforcement. He has been recognized and awarded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving on at least four occasions for his performance in this area."
It's so nice of them to write laws making them above the law......
https://wset.com/news/local/va-legi...I7gVdfllgnfIHZ1d4meSODzkLDm2GVvzRGZ2px7Wpsc-4
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- Chris Hurst speaks out after getting pulled over for suspected drunk driving.
Chris Hurst shared a statement on Facebook saying he is "not above the law" and is "deeply sorry."
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WSET) -- A Virginia legislator was pulled over Sunday, Jan. 26 on suspicion of drunk driving.
According to Christiansburg Police's Public Relations Director, Melissa Demmitt, an officer pulled over Delegate Chris Hurst, D-Montgomery County, on suspicion of drinking and driving on Sunday at approximately 2 a.m.
Demmitt says Lt. Stephen Swecker initiated a traffic stop on the U.S. 460 Bypass, between the downtown Christiansburg and Peppers Ferry Road exits, after he observed the vehicle swerve across the right side fog-line several times.
The vehicle was also seen speeding for a period of time.
When Lt. Swecker approached Hurst in the driver side of the vehicle, he said he noticed that his eyes were red and he smelled alcohol.
Swecker then obtained Hurst's driver's license and conducted a routine check of the license status. He then explained his observations to Hurst and asked him to follow his pen with his eyes. After noticing a lack of smooth pursuit, he then asked Hurst to step out of the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests.
Swecker administered three field sobriety tests and a preliminary field breath test. The results of a preliminary breath test conducted in the field are used as an investigative tool but are not admissible as evidence in court.
Demmitt says that Hurst complied with the officer's request and performed all the tests.
Hurst's preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .085 percent which is above the .08 percent legal limit.
Swecker said he determined that by the time Hurst was brought into the magistrate's office for a formal breathalyzer test, which is the only admissible test in court, Hurst would be under the legal limit.
Demmitt said that the officer told Hurst and his girlfriend, who blew a .06 BAC, below the legal limit, to go to Walmart to pass the time.
Hurst's girlfriendThe officer said he was aware that Hurst is a delegate, but neither the officer nor Hurst mentioned this fact at any time during the encounter. drove them to the store. He first asked the two if there was anyone else who could come pick them up and drive.
According to Section IV, Article 9 of the Constitution of Virginia, unless a legislator has committed treason, a felony, or a breach of peace, legislators are immune from arrest while the General Assembly is in session.
Demmitt says neither the officer nor Hurst mentioned this law, but the officer was aware of the law’s existence because it’s taught during the police academy.
Also, this provision of the State Constitution makes it highly unlikely that Hurst could have been prosecuted in court even if he had been arrested.
Demmitt says "the officer weighed all of the factors and made a judgment call, as is done each and every time an officer decides whether or not to make an arrest. The officer, Lt. Stephen Swecker, is highly experienced in DUI detection and enforcement. He has been recognized and awarded by Mothers Against Drunk Driving on at least four occasions for his performance in this area."
It's so nice of them to write laws making them above the law......
https://wset.com/news/local/va-legi...I7gVdfllgnfIHZ1d4meSODzkLDm2GVvzRGZ2px7Wpsc-4
