New Jersey man arrested on DUI charge after car catches on fire

Not all arrests for DUI stem from a police officer pulling a motorist over. In some cases, police can be called to the scene of an incident and they may attempt to link an individual to driving a car while under the influence. New Jersey police have levied such a DUI charge against a man who they say was operating his motor vehicle under the influence prior to the car catching on fire.

The 55-year-old man is alleged to have parked his vehicle and entered a White Castle restaurant. While in the restaurant, employees say they saw the man’s car catch fire near the building. Employees exited the restaurant. However, the man is alleged to have refused to leave the building.

When police arrived, they took the man out of the building and had him perform field sobriety tests. It was alleged that the man failed the tests, which resulted in police taking the man into custody. A subsequent blood alcohol test is said to have revealed that the man had a blood alcohol content of 0.21.

To prove a DUI charge, New Jersey prosecutors must demonstrate to the court’s satisfaction that an individual was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. That burden of proof is solely upon the prosecution, which must establish each and every element of the crime charged by a measure of proof characterized as beyond a reasonable doubt. In preparing a criminal defense, one focus will necessarily be on the man’s interactions with law enforcement personnel and the substance of any statements the accused man made concerning his actions prior to his arrest.

Source: Watchung-Green Brook, NJ Patch, “Man Refuses to Leave White Castle as Car Burns,” John Patten, Nov. 12, 2012