When people hear that someone was accused of driving under the influence, many assume that the driver was impaired by alcohol. However, a Utah resident can be charged with metabolite DUI. This means that police suspect the individual of being impaired by a substance other than alcohol, such as illegal or prescription drugs.
On a recent Friday, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a pickup truck had come to a stop at an intersection. While waiting for the traffic light, the truck was hit from behind by a car. The driver of the pickup says that the impact was hard enough that it almost pushed the truck into the intersection. Fortunately, the truck stopped in the crosswalk, and no pedestrians were in it at the time.
The driver of the car was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries. Police followed and placed him under arrest for driving under the influence of a metabolite. Officers claim that the man was under the influence of “something” at the time of the collision. The onus is Utah prosecutors to prove that claim in court.
The driver is presumed innocent until and unless proved guilty of metabolite DUI. In order to secure a conviction, no reasonable doubt that the accused individual committed the crime with which he or she is accused can be present. If a reasonable doubt does exist, the charges cannot stand. This legal concept is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system here in the United States and is based upon the concept that the standard for conviction should intentionally be set high so as to avoid the possibility of convicting an innocent individual.
Source: stgeorgeutah.com, “Police arrest man for metabolite DUI after rear-end collision“, Ric Wayman, Aug. 14, 2015
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