CAMBRIA: DWI charges stem from report of smoking car

Local News

January 7, 2009

Man reportedly passed out at the wheel

Staff Reports The Niagara Gazette Wed Jan 07, 2009, 11:34 PM EST

A Sanborn man was charged with driving while intoxicated after he was reportedly found passed out at the wheel of his car.

A neighbor called 911 about 5:50 a.m. to report Jeffrey R. Henderson, 21, 3084 Shenk Road, Sanborn had passed out behind the wheel of his parked car, with the engine running, on Shenk Road.

The neighbor said there was smoke coming from the hood, and it looked like the car was about to catch fire.

The neighbor said she it took some effort to wake Henderson up, and when she woke up she told him his car was about to blow up.

Henderson reportedly said, “All right,” and got out of the car.

Fire personnel and deputies responded to the scene and interviewed Henderson, who had a bloody lip.

When they asked Henderson what happened, he allegedly said, “My (expletive) car almost blew up, man. I could have (expletive) died.”

Deputies asked where Henderson was going, and he reportedly said, “I got the serious munchies, and I was driving to Micky D’s for a little snack.”

When they asked if he was alone in the car, he allegedly said, “No, I had a group of midgets with me who ran away when you got here. Yeah, I was (expletive) alone, dude. Do you see anyone else?”

Deputies asked if he had been drinking alcohol, and he allegedly said, “Uh, hello, yeah, I was (expletive) drinking. I almost died, dude, and you ask me that (expletive)? ... I wasn’t driving, if that’s what you’re getting at, dude. Nice try, good police work.”

He allegedly failed several field sobriety tests but refused to take an alcohol field sensor test, saying, “Dude, I don’t blow into long tube-shaped things. You have at it if you like blowing.”

Henderson was taken into custody. At the sheriff’s department, he allegedly registered a 0.23 percent blood alcohol content on a breath test.

After the test, he reportedly apologized to deputies, saying, “It was just the liquor talking back there, dude. I won’t give you guys a hard time anymore.”

Henderson was charged with DWI and driving with a restricted license.

He was held in lieu of $250 bail and is due today in Cambria Town Court.

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