People who live in South Carolina know that operating a motor vehicle while impaired by either alcohol or drugs is against the law and may find them facing a criminal charge for operating a vehicle while under the influence. This type of charge may also be faced for alleged impaired operation of a boat. A recent incident in Walhalla raises new questions about what may be considered a motor vehicle under the law regarding these types of charges.
As reported by Fox News, police stopped a woman who was driving a toy truck one day. It is not clear what made them stop her as the report does not indicate she was driving erratically or unsafely. At any rate, she was pulled over and believed to be under the influence of some type of drug, perhaps a narcotic. The woman, who is 25 years old, is said to have indicated she was driving the truck as part of her training for wrestling.
Officers arrested the woman but did not charge her with any type of drugged driving offense as they deemed the toy truck did not qualify as a motor vehicle. Instead, she was charged with public intoxication and operation under the influence of a drug. She was eventually allowed to leave custody and return home on a bond for her personal recognizance.
No details of any potential penalties, such as fines or the requirement to participate in substance abuse classes, were released in the report. It is also not known if the woman plead guilty to any charges she was accused of.
