It was a bad day to be a drunk driver and an even worse day to be a sheep in mid-November, when an alleged intoxicated motorist drove through a herd of livestock. In all, the driver’s drunken rampage led to the deaths of 42 sheep and another few injured. Somehow, the sheep did not stop the car and the woman was able to flee the scene.
Less than half an hour later, police were able to track her down thanks to a detached license plate left at the scene of the grisly accident. She was charged with DUI, driving without insurance and failing to remain at the scene of a crash that caused property damage.
The sheep in that area of the San Luis Valley have suffered similar losses before; in 2009, a dump truck driver drove through a herd of 1,300 sheep and killed 24. How a dump truck could kill less sheep than a 2005 Isuzu, we do not know. Even the investigators were confused.
Hit and Run Laws in Colorado
Drivers are required by law to remain at the scene of an accident until proper procedures are followed. In an accident with another driver, you are required to exchange information and provide reasonable assistance if someone is hurt.
In situations where no human is hurt (sorry, sheep – the law is not on your side) and the only damage was to property, fleeing the scene is a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines, penalties that will likely increase if it can be proven that you were intoxicated at the time of the accident.
The defense attorneys at Thomas Law Firm offer representation for clients accused of drunk driving in Denver.
