Lincoln Police say they conducted 20 DUI investigations between September 10th and 12th. One of those arrests involved a man with a history of drunk driving. Officer Erin Spilker says 39 year old Ryan O’Toole’s vehicle was obstructing traffic near 14th and O early Sunday morning when an officer tried to contact him. “He tried to drive away from the officer. The officer located the vehicle driving at Centennial Mall and P Street and conducted a traffic stop,” Spilker says.
Officers learned O’Toole had five previous DUI convictions. O’Toole also had a 15 year license revocation. Police also discovered that O’Toole’s ignition interlock had been tampered with and no longer worked. O’Toole arrested for felony DUI 5th+ offense with refusal of chemical test, driving on a revoked license, tampering with interlock device and obstructing a police officer.
Police also arrested the same woman twice for drunk driving Saturday morning. Spilker says the 24-year-old woman was arrested just before 3 a.m. for DUI and Violating a Traffic Control Device at 14th and P Street. Her BAC was .179 at that time.
She was turned over to The Bridge where she was released to a responsible adult. However, around 4:30 a.m., the same woman was arrested for DUI, Refusal of a Chemical Test, and Driving without Headlights at Highway 2 and Southwood Drive.
The woman was subjected to standard field sobriety tests and a breath pre-test which she failed. LPD is reminding people to plan ahead. “Designate a sober driver, utilize a taxi or ride share, or don’t drink if you need to drive. Lincoln is fortunate to have many organizations to help with substance abuse issues including, but not limited to, Centerpointe, Bryan Independence Center, The Bridge Behavioral Health, Touchstone, and Alcoholics Anonymous. If you need help, we encourage you to reach out.”