01/15/2019
I did not participate in this case but I find it helpful.
RECENT COURT ORDER REGARDING DUI AND ACTUAL PHYSICAL CONTROL.
IS IT OKAY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD?
Sleeping Driver Spotted
On December 2, 2017, at approximately 7:00 a.m., the Titusville Police Department was contacted about an individual who was slumped over the steering wheel of an automobile that was parked in the Krystal’s parking lot. Titusville Police Officer Mark Fourtney responded to the location and observed the automobile, which was still running. The officer testified that there was no indication of any criminal activity and that he was there for a welfare check.
Officer Fourtney testified that he tapped on the window and the individual, later identified as Mr. Brown, raised his head slightly and rotated his body away from the window. Officer Fourtney continued to tap on the window. Meanwhile, the Titusville Fire Department, which had also been dispatched to the scene, arrived. Officer Fourtney stated that “the male is waking up but won’t open the door for me.” Thereafter, the firetruck’s air horn was sounded and Mr. Brown rolled down his window, allowing Officer Fourtney to smell the odor of alcohol emitting from him.
Demanding Sleeping Driver Attention
Mr. Brown argues that there was no need for a welfare check. The Court finds that the welfare check was permissible to the extent that Officer Fourtney was allowed to alleviate any concern’s he might have for the driver’s health. It is clear from Officer Fourtney’s testimony that there was nothing about the way or where the vehicle was parked that would indicate that there was anything wrong with the driver. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel, apparently asleep, and responded to the window taps by moving his body away from the noise. There was nothing about Mr. Brown’s behavior that indicated that he was incoherent.
Sleeping Driver Responsive
The two men did not engage in conversation at that time. Mr. Brown was also responsive, albeit not in the manner that Officer Fourtney desired.
As part of a consensual encounter, Mr. Brown was not obligated to roll down his window and acknowledge the officer. Officer Fourtney’s persistence, although not verbal, in demanding Mr. Brown’s attention, after it was apparent that the Defendant was simply sleeping, runs afoul of (existing precedent).
Investigation Not Based On Reasonable Suspicion
Contrary to the State’s assertion, this case is not similar to the case which involved an individual who was found with his head “cocked to the left side and had a cell phone lodged between his shoulder and cheek.” Further, the Defendant woke up but seemed “really out of it.” Thus, the deputy had a continuing concern for his safety.
In this case, Officer Fourtney’s community caretaker duty was satisfied when the Defendant simply rolled away from the noise. There was no other evidence observed by the officer that Mr. Brown was ill. Thereafter, the officer was proceeding with an investigation which was not based upon a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
