Red Light: Erie, Pennsylvania - A woman charged in the drunken-driving death of her son went to a bar after his funeral instead of reporting back to jail, state police said. A judge had given Erin Howard, 26, permission to leave the Erie County Prison for 24 hours to attend her son's funeral in Ohio, with orders to return to the lockup. Instead, Howard went to a bar about a mile from the church where the funeral for 6-year-old Samuel Carpenter was held. Howard had been in prison in lieu of $75,000 bail on charges that she was driving drunk when she crashed into a creek bank, killing Samuel on June 14 - her 26th birthday. Pennsylvania police found out that Howard had been arrested in Ohio after her son's father allegedly tipped off authorities to her whereabouts. She was being held in Ohio awaiting extradition to Erie. Howard has now been charged with escape in addition to involuntary manslaughter, drunken driving, child endangerment and other charges related to the crash. Associated Press.
Green Light: Louisville, Kentucky - Landon Wilburn, 11, used to shout at speeders to slow down as they drove through the Stone Lakes subdivision in Louisville, now has taken matters into his own hands. Dressed in a reflective vest, wearing a bicycle helmet and armed with an orange Hot Wheels brand radar gun, he points and records the actual speed of passing traffic. Landon also carries a flashlight with a built-in siren. "When I saw it happening, I got the biggest kick out of it," said resident George Ayers, 61. "People were locking up their brakes when they saw him." Many in the subdivision are frustrated that motorists tear through the neighborhood at 55 mph despite signs posting a 25 mph limit. Officials said the city will install speed humps in the neighborhood if 70 percent of residents agree and are willing to put up half the money. Associated Press - July 17, 2008.
Red Light: Persistence is a virtue in Nebraska. Last week a judge sentenced a 20 year old girl here to 4 months in jail along with a 9 month treatment for 6 DUI's she got in the span of 7 weeks. All were found to be second offenses, and she had her baby with her on one, and was on her way to get the kid at the time of the last arrest when she finally wrecked her car. She actually had a 7th DUI under investigation, but 6 seemed like enough. At least for now, since soon she'll be old enough to drink legally. Associated Press - July 16, 2008.
Green Light: Detroit, Michigan - Ford Motor Co. will roll out a new feature on many 2010 models that can limit teen drivers to 80 mph, using a computer chip in the key programmed by their parents. The feature, called "MyKey," will be standard on an unspecified number of Ford models when the 2010 cars and trucks come out late next summer. The feature will spread to the entire Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup as models are updated. Ford arrived at the 80 mph limit even though freeway speed limits are lower in most states because it wanted to leave a margin in case an unusual situation arises. In addition to speed limits, parents can also program MyKey to limit the volume of the audio system, and sound a six-second chime every minute if seat belts are not fastened. The chime sounds for adult drivers, too, but ends after five minutes to avoid annoying adults who adamantly don't want to wear seat belts. Parents also have the option of having the car sound a chime if the teen exceeds 45, 55 or 65 mph. The feature will debut on the 2010 Focus compact car and quickly move to other company models as a standard feature. Associated Press.
Red Light: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin - Her license plate said "TROUBLE" and Elizabeth Ann Kommes apparently meant it. The 30 year old Michigan native is accused of attempting to bribe a police officer in order to avoid being arrested for driving drunk. According to the police report, bystanders told police that around 10 p.m. an intoxicated woman "stumbled into a vehicle" with vanity plates that read "TROUBLE". Police pulled Kommes over shortly afterward, and she admitted that she had been driving drunk. In the squad car Kommes allegedly pleaded with the officer that she not be arrested and offered him $10,000 and sexual favors to let her go.Police say she was convicted of drunken driving in Wisconsin in 2000, 2001, and 2006, and then again in Michigan in 2007. Her driver's license was revoked in 2006. Kommes told the officers she was on probation in Michigan for possessing three pounds of marijuana and that she was concerned that another arrest would land her in jail for violating her probation. Despite having her offer declined, Kommes didn't appear to remain upset for long. She posed and flashed a big smile for her mug shot while being booked at the Columbia County jail. ABC News - July 17, 2008.
Green Light: Albuquerqe, New Mexico - "What is your emergency?" asked the 911 operator. The little boy replied, "My mom is making me blow air into her interlock." The youngster was asked to help his mother break the law and blow into her ignition interlock device to start the car. Police responded to the call and charged 30-year-old Genevieve Sullivan with violating her probation for drunken driving. The 11-year-old walked a fine emotional line: He told operators he was afraid his mother would hear him and he'd get in trouble. But he was even more afraid of the consequences should his mother drive drunk. "He knew his mother was in trouble. He knew she needed help, and he knew he could provide that help" said psychologist Pat O'Gorman. ABC News - September 10, 2008.
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