Most people in Kansas are familiar with the antics of Chris Kattan. However, Kattan starred in a skit on Feb. 10 that he probably wishes he wasn't involved in. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI after he crashed his Mercedes-Benz into a Department of Transportation truck on 101 Freeway in California after driving through a construction zone. Officers responded to the scene after a woman called 911 to report a driving weaving on the road and driving slowly.
No one was injured in the crash and no one was in the car at the time of the accident. Video footage recorded Kattan having trouble with field sobriety tests. While talking to an officer, he admitted that he was taking prescription drugs at the time of the accident. He was taken to Van Nuys Jail where he posted $15,000 bail and was released hours after he was taken into custody.
Drivers can be charged and convicted of a DUI even if the driver was impaired due to taking prescription drugs instead of drinking alcohol. Even if the driver did not anticipate the medication to cause a problem while behind the wheel, it is the driver's responsibility to be sober while operating a motor vehicle.
Penalties for a DUI could range from a fine and community service to time and jail and a license revocation. Those who are charged with DUI for the first time may be able to plea bargain. A judge could substitute jail time for community service or substitute community service for a fine if the driver cannot afford to pay it.
Source: The Kansas City Star, "Former ‘SNL’ star Chris Kattan arrested for DUI after construction zone crash ", Lisa Gutierrez, February 10, 2014
