A 64-year-old Hamilton man who allegedly told officers he was “self-medicating” with tequila on Jan. 13 was arrested about 9:15 a.m. the following day and charged with his fourth offense of driving while under the influence, which is a felony.
James David Sandland was seen traveling northbound on First Street in Hamilton, driving 36 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone, according to court documents. A police car with its lights and siren on followed his vehicle for several blocks as he struggled to maintain his lane, until he eventually pulled over in a parking lot, according to the documents.
Sandland denied drinking any alcohol that day, and said he couldn’t perform any sobriety tests because he had bad knees and a bad back. He did perform the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, and the officer said Sandland showed six out of six clues of impairment.
He refused to provide a preliminary alcohol screening test, allegedly telling the officer that he goes on “binges” and that he took a chance driving and while he didn’t feel impaired, he knew that legally “there will probably be enough alcohol still in my system from last night,” according to court documents.
Since he has misdemeanor DUI convictions in 2012, 2013 and 2016, this fourth DUI is a felony charge. Sandland also was issued misdemeanor citations for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.