Tom Harter Jumps Off Bridge To Avoid DUI Test, Kinda Screams Guilty To Me

[Whisper]

Tom Harter

A New Orleans man went to extreme measures to avoid taking a DUI test: He jumped off a 20-foot-high bridge.

On Sunday, Thomas Robert Harter was pulled over by police and asked to take a sobriety test after another motorist reported his car swerving and speeding, according to Newser.

Although Harter got out of the car without being asked, and was waving his arms in the air, police say he was swaying smelling of alcohol and wearing a green St. Patrick's Day necklace. When the officer asked for his vehicle registration, Harter got back into his car and exited again, holding a pile of paper scraps and a stack of CDs, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, still swaying.

At that point, the officer asked Harter to take a field sobriety test and he agreed, before suddenly "bolting" and leaping into the water 20 feet below.

One officer managed to grab him, but couldn't hold on to Harter, who was wearing jeans, boots and a camouflage T-shirt.

Harter fell into the lake and disappeared into the water, which was rough, with winds between 15 and 20 mph, and cold, about 60 degrees, according to Causeway General Manager Carlton Dufrechou.

The southbound lanes were closed for about a half hour as rescuers looked for him.

"We were concerned that the current would just take him away," Dufrechou told the Times-Picayune.

Luckily, Harter managed to grab a utility building at the base of the bridge. He was hauled out of the 60-degree water intact and arrested for what will be his eighth drunk-driving charge, according to WWL-TV.

He was also charged with resisting arrest and careless driving, and booked as a fugitive on outstanding warrants for a hit and run.

He is being held on a $15,000 bond on the alleged driving violations, according to Fox News, but Dufrechou thinks that's better than the alternative.

"He's a lot better ofhttp://main.aol.com/2012/03/14/thomas-robert-harter-jumps-off-bridge-dui-louisiana_n_1345623.htmlf than being crabmeat," he told reporters.

[newstarshipsmell]

Luckily, Harter managed to grab a utility building at the base of the bridge. He was hauled out of the 60-degree water intact and arrested for what will be his eighth drunk-driving charge, according to WWL-TV.

Seriously? They should have let him "escape."

[CbabyRKO]

Alright I think after your 3rd DUI you should have your licenses suspended indefinitely til you can prove that you can act responsibly and also be made to join AA. That or throw them in jail. I'm surprised he hasn't killed anyone. What a selfish bastard. All drunk drivers are putting themselves and other in harms way. I mean what the fuck man this guy is just a fatality waiting to happen. Call a cab call a friend ANYTHING other than drive drunk!

[malq]

Alright I think after your 3rd DUI you should have your licenses suspended indefinitely til you can prove that you can act responsibly and also be made to join AA. That or throw them in jail. I'm surprised he hasn't killed anyone. What a selfish bastard. All drunk drivers are putting themselves and other in harms way. I mean what the fuck man this guy is just a fatality waiting to happen. Call a cab call a friend ANYTHING other than drive drunk!

Right, and I think they do. It varies by state, but for the most part the time between duis is the factor. For instance, if you have previous dui's and if they are withing 7 years the penalty is way increased. If you get 3 within 7 years it is automatic 5 years suspension on top of all other penalties. It could be his dui's are spread out over 20 years and that is how he is able to fall through the cracks and maintain his license.. also, you can bet, that even on the first DUI, you will have to attend AA classes at least.. There are all kinds of loopholes like being able to drive to work, driving with an interlock, and having probationary licenses.

The truth is that even after multiple DUI's you will get your license back if you jump through all the right hoops. They make it a little harder on you after each one depending on how close together they are.

[CbabyRKO]

@malq I didn't know all that but ok at least they are trying. Well then those little breath thingies they put on your car you have to blow in for driving should be put on multiple offenders cars indefinitely. That way they can't drive drunk and if they try and get someone to blow in it for them that person shld have the common sense to know its wrong and offer the jackass a ride home!