Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents made 10 driving or operating a vessel while intoxicated (DWI) arrests statewide this Memorial Day Weekend.

The penalties for DWI on the water are the same as on the road. Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver’s license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case. Also, each offense of operating a vehicle or vessel while intoxicated counts toward the total number of DWI crimes whether they happened on the water or road.

LDWF Strikeforce agents made DWI cases against Rouddy A. Pierce, 43, of Galliana, on Bayou Blue in Lafourche Parish on May 28; Brandon B. Vice, 25, of Houma, on the Intracoastal Waterway in Terrebonne Parish on May 29; and Phillip J. Trahna, 25, of Gibson, on the Intracoastal Waterway in Terrebonne Parish on May 29. Lt. Joseph Arnaud and Senior Agent Michael Williams participated in these DWI arrests.

Agents in Livingston Parish made DWI cases on the Tickfaw River against David A. Weber, 48, of Destrehan, on May 28; Wilbert K. Black, 53, of Kenner, on May 29; and Michael E. Triplett, 31, of Flora, Miss., on May 29. Sgt. Toby Miller, Senior Agent Brody Roberts and Senior Agent Clay Marques participated in these DWI arrests.

On Toledo Bend, Lt. Bill Tyree and Senior Agent Eric Droddy made one DWI case against Caster D. Caisson, 56, of Duson, on May 30.

Agents in the northwestern part of the state made DWI cases against Austin Frye, 21, of Arcadia, on Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish on May 30; and Marcus Hooker, 39, of Logansport, on the Sabine River in Desoto Parish on May 28. Sgt. Ryan Brasher, Senior Agent Joey Melton and Senior Agent Michael Dunn participated in these cases.

Agents made a DWI case against James Davis Jr., 66, of Newellton, on the backwater of the Mississippi River on May 30. Senior Agent Johnny Wilson, Sgt. Joe Chandler and Senior Agent Leya Grover participated in this case.

“Alcohol use and operating a boat do not mix as it impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne, the state’s boating law administrator. “Alcohol also increases fatigue and intensifies the effect from the sun, wind and movement while on the water. All of these alcohol related side effects have shown an increase in fatal boating crash incidents in Louisiana and the country.”

LDWF agents issued 216 DWI citations to boat operators in 2009. Alcohol use was listed as the leading primary cause of fatal boating crash incidents accounting for 24 percent or six deaths in Louisiana in 2009.

In Louisiana a DWI can be issued to anyone operating a moving vessel or vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. First offense DWI on the water or on the road carries a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Second offense DWI brings a $750 to $1,000 fine and between 30 days and six months in jail. Third offense DWI carries a $5,000 fine and between one and five years in jail. Every DWI offense is also subject to a suspension of driving a vehicle and operating a boat privileges.

Contact:
Adam Einck aeinck@wlf.la.gov.