Alaska Man Gets a DUI While Floating on Raft

A Juneau man was arrested for driving under the influence while he floated through Fairbanks on a raft.

The Fairbanks Daily Miner-News reported that Fairbanks Police arrested William Modene Sunday night after witnesses reported that a “very intoxicated” man was floating down the Chena River.

A wildlife boat up caught up with Modene and placed him under arrest without incident.

Law enforcement says that “Modene had been floating on the river for the day and consuming alcoholic beverages all day.”

A blood alcohol test revealed that Modene was almost four times the legal limit.

In Alaska, drunk driving laws include planes, automobiles, and water craft, which a raft is considered to be.

Few people realize that they can get a DUI when they are riding a bicycle or operating any other vessel used as a mode of transportation. In some states there aren’t any laws that forbid a person from drinking while rafting, but not so in Alaska.

Regardless of the mode of transportation a DUI is a serious charge. The laws are constantly changing and they are getting tougher, so it is crucial that anyone facing this charge have an effective DUI defense to prevent a conviction.

The fines and penalties that come in the wake of a DUI are costly and the offender may face jail time, depending on their blood alcohol level and prior arrest record, so having the representation of a DUI attorney is essential.