Cop shop
This (we think, by process of elimination going through the Town yard) is the Mazda 3 that was rolled in a single-car accident on Feb. 19. The driver was unhurt, but later dismayed to find Roberto’s isn’t open at 5:30 a.m. (Photo: Geisel)
When the nice guy working the nightshift at the local service station tells you you’re drunk and that you’d be best served handing him your car keys … do so.
Daniel James Ryan, 19, of Carlsbad chose to ignore the advice he received at Mammoth Chevron on the morning of Feb. 19, and has a seriously damaged (if not totaled) car and pending DUI to show for it.
Ryan pulled up at the Chevron at approximately 5 a.m. in a new passenger car which was still sporting dealer plates. According to the nightshift employee, when he suggested Ryan park the car and give him the keys, Ryan told him, in so many words, to get lost.
When Ryan peeled out at a high rate of speed, the nighshift employee promptly called Mammoth Lakes Police.
Police did not initially locate Ryan in his vehicle. In fact, he was located about 30 minutes later loitering outside Roberto’s Cafe wondering why no one would open up the door and serve him some food.
A policeman gave Ryan a ride back to his dormitory room at Cerro Coso. At the time, the officer did not connect him with the earlier call, nor did he spot the overturned vehicle which Ryan had abandoned in the vicinity of Meridian Boulevard and College Parkway.
An ESTA (Eastern Sierra Transity Authority) was the one who notified police of the overturned vehicle.
By 7 a.m., MLPD officers had traced ownership of the vehicle to Ryan. They found him in his dormitory room, still quite intoxicated.
In fact, when Ryan’s blood alcohol level was finally tested between 8 and 8:30 a.m. (more than three hours after his first identification at Mammoth Chevron), he tested at .14, almost twice the legal limit.
Deputy District Attorney Tim Kendall said Ryan has been charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence).
A person anonymously wrote The Sheet last week to complain about the Mammoth Chevron employee, saying it was not the employee’s place to call the police.
Lunch not-so-anonymously thanks Mammoth Chevron and its employees for looking out for the safety of the larger community. I also hope the car is not replaced so Mr. Ryan has more time to focus on his studies and perhaps learn a thing or two.
-Lunch
