Massena Man Faces DWI Charge for Scooter Incident

A Massena man is facing a DWI charge for allegedly driving his battery powered scooter while intoxicated. 

Police say 34 year-old Bernard Phillips II was arrested about 1:30 a.m. Sunday after police saw Phillips stop his mobility scooter in the middle of an intersection and walk about 30 feet to a car, demanding cigarettes.

The car turned out to be an unmarked police car and the officer charged the Massena man with drunk driving.

A Massena judge reportedly adjourned the case on Monday to determine whether the DWI charge was appropriate.  He noted that if one were to walk in an intersection while drunk, the charge would be disorderly conduct.

The St. Lawrence County District Attorney's office had offered to reduce the charge to driving with ability impaired.

-Chris Knight, 7-9-08

 

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