A man was charged with felony DUI after he was stopped by the law officers just north of Hailey. The stop and arrest took place in the early hours of Wednesday, December 16.
According to the details shared by the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was identified as Benjamin Douglas Rasmussen, 36, of Twin Falls, Idaho. Rasmussen was traveling along the U.S. Highway 75 when the BCSO deputies initiated the stop. As per the reports from the Sheriff’s Office, the stop was initiated when Rasmussen was seen driving with excessive speed.
Deputies stopped Rasmussen at around 12:14 a.m. on a stretch of US75 between the Deer Creek Road and the Treasure Lane. The precise location of the stop was just north of Hailey.
Following the stop, deputies discerned clear signs of intoxication. BCSO didn’t specify the exact signs and indicators which led the deputies to charge the man. He was subsequently charged with felony DUI. It is not known at this time why a felony, and not a misdemeanor charge, was brought against Rasmussen. In a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, it was confirmed that Rasmussen was charged with felony DUI under the provisions of the Idaho Statutes 18-8004.
Details from the BCSO further reveal that Rasmussen had been previously charged with felony DUI back in 2008. However, Idaho typically follows a 10-year look back period at maximum for DUI convictions. This means that a 2008 conviction is not likely to make this a second DUI offense for Rasmussen. Instead, he will face the penalties of this offense as a first DUI.
Rasmussen is due to be arraigned for his felony DUI charge on Thursday, December 17. His arraignment will take place in the Blaine County Magistrate Court. Further details surrounding his arrest may become available later.
Contact our Boise DUI attorneys today.
Source: https://www.co.blaine.id.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=231