Law enforcement announces 'Border to Border' Holiday DUI emphasis

There are few professions where you can have a few drinks and say that it’s “all part of the job.”

That’s the opportunity members of the media were given on Monday during a “wet lab” following the official announcement of North Idaho DUI Task Force “Border to Border” Holiday DUI Emphasis.

Yes, law enforcement officials will be out in droves across the Inland Northwest and western Montana combing the streets for inebriated drivers now through Jan. 1, 2020.

Held in the Idaho State Police District 1 headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, the event began with the recognition of the DUI task force for no impaired driving fatalities occurring during the latest “100 Deadliest Days.” The “100 Deadliest Days” annually occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is the first year in recent memory when the impaired driving death toll in this timeframe was zero.

The event began with short speeches from leadership of the various participating agencies.

Idaho State Police Col. Kedrick Willis spoke specifically about the statistics of Region 1 (North Idaho).

“Since 2013, more than half our fatality crashes in North Idaho have been the result of impaired drivers,” he said. “That is the highest percentage anywhere in Idaho. We have a problem and we have got to solve this problem because no matter what statistics we talk about, reunions are wonderful, but every statistic equates to a family that will never again have that reunion.”

Following the various speakers, Pat and Vern Allen, whose son, Ryan, was killed by a drunk driver in March 2019, gave a heartbreaking presentation chronicling that fateful night and the life that was ended too soon.

“As far as the crash, we had spent a beautiful day with our children at a birthday party, then over to dinner afterwards,” Pat explained, “As we were coming home, we had filled the car up with fuel and went up 95 towards Hayden. As we got near Mark’s Marine, we were hit by Cory’s (Kreager) truck and the crash will tell you the rest of the story in that aspect.”

Ryan, who was already wheelchair bound due to a previous DUI incident when he was a child, was thrown from the vehicle and died on-scene.

“These crashes are completely preventable,” said Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Nick Knoll. “We want to stop them.”

This somber story set the stage for the purpose of the wet lab: to know how quickly one can be affected by alcohol, and to know your limit.

Shoshone News-Press editor Chanse Watson and Coeur d’Alene Press staff reporter Devin Weeks were invited to participate in the unique experience.

Chanse: As someone who has had their fair share of interactions with law enforcement (which, I assure you, have all been overwhelmingly positive), it was a strange experience to have uniformed Idaho State Troopers taking my drink orders and serving me.

While I knew that everything was being done in the name of science, there’s that little part of you that still feels uncomfortable when a cop asks you to follow his finger with your eyes or blow into a tube.

The environment was friendly from the start, but got even more friendly as the participating media representatives drained their respective drinks (some more holiday flavored than others. Kudos to Devin for giving them that idea). I stuck with a time-tested classic — Jack Daniel’s and Coke. While it’s not the most creative choice, it allowed me to really get an idea of what my alcohol tolerance was, since it is usually my drink of choice.

As I finished my first drink, troopers and Pat Allen were on the spot to ask how I felt and If I would drive at that point. Not being able to imagine what Pat has gone through, I had a tremendous respect for her commitment to educating anyone who will listen about the serious issue.

Following three more drinks (one-double and one-single) and a lot more laughs with Devin and the fellow media folks, I tried out the larger BAC machine that is found in jails (not to be confused with the smaller, portable versions that patrol officers use on the street). I was amazed that there are so many factors that go into something that seems so simple.

Inhale, exhale for over 4.5 seconds, and make sure you exhale hard enough.

Simple for someone sober (which I legally was, coming in at .062% BAC), but for someone totally inebriated, those directions can apparently be tough to follow.

Overall, the event was both fun and informative. Regardless of the agency, law enforcement personnel know how to detect a drunk, so don’t risk driving under the influence this holiday season!

Oh and I learned that if you laugh while taking any of the impairment test, that means you’re high on pot. At least, that’s what a grinning trooper told us.

Devin: After two hot buttered rums, I started getting a little toasty so I promptly removed my sweater. The “wet lab” at the ISP headquarters started to feel more like a “sweat” lab! I noticed a few other people’s cheeks getting rosy too.

In true journalist form, my colleague Chanse started asking people about their favorite or most memorable cop stories. The conversation level cranked up as everyone got more comfortable.

It was the strangest sensation to give my drink orders to uniformed officers and have these uniformed officers smile as they served us and made sure our cups were full. I kind of feel bad that I didn’t have any cash for tips! My first test, I blew a .013 on the Lifelock mechanism. That’s not quite to the .08 limit but after dealing with a head cold all day I know I wouldn’t be comfortable driving. I’d rather be safe than sorry, especially knowing how many other people out there don’t err on the side of safety.

Other participants in the wet lab got noticeably louder and more jovial as the event progressed. I started stumbling over words and found myself wanting to talk to everyone — that social lubrication had kicked in. It was actually super fun to get a little schwilly at the police station and not be in trouble. I felt pretty thankful for this opportunity. And by the way, state troopers make fine bartenders.

But my mind kept wandering back to the Allen family and how they lost their son, Ryan, after a drunk driver slammed into their vehicle. It’s like lightning struck twice — Ryan survived being hit by a drunk driver who ultimately claimed his life. My heart is so heavy for his mom and dad, who are so incredibly brave for sharing the story of this painful loss less than nine months after this tragedy occurred. I can’t even imagine the pain my own parents would be going through.

With so many ride sharing options, taxi services and friends’ couches to crash on, no one has an excuse to drive drunk and steal someone else’s life.

Thanks to ISP and everyone who organized this educational experience.