Recently in DUI in the News Category

The next time you reach for a drink, think about how much a DUI conviction could cost you.

A recent a study conducted by the Automobile Club of Southern California put a huge price tag on basic first-time DUIs in that state. According to the study, a DUI can cost up to $15,649 in California, reports the Los Angeles Times.

And those numbers don't even take into account other associated DUI costs.

How can a DUI can cost you? Let us count the ways:

Back in January of last year, Atlanta Police Senior Officer Gail Thomas was killed by a suspected drunk driver while directing traffic on I-75.

On Friday, Chastity Jones went to trial for the crime, South Cobb Patch reports. Jones is facing 13 counts, including DUI and homicide by vehicle in the first degree. She could spend up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Frank Circelli, founder and chairman of the Gem Shopping Network, had a rough holiday season.

Circelli was arrested for DUI not once, but twice within the same week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The first arrest took place Christmas morning, while the second occurred just after midnight on New Year's Day.

The CEO now faces a number of DUI offenses and at least one drug offense.

An Atlanta police officer ended up in the hospital this weekend after an alleged drunken driver plowed into his patrol car.

Officer Osbert Beckles suffered head and chest injuries and multiple broken bones in the crash. Scott Eugene Welker is now facing a whole slew of charges, including DUI and serious injury by vehicle, Channel 2 Action News reports.

An alleged drunken driver took a page out of the Kool-Aid Man's playbook Sunday night when he smashed his car right through the wall of an Atlanta home.

The collision sent the kitchen sink and a table flying into the house's occupants. Now Ray Roberts, the driver, is facing charges for DUI, failure to maintain lane, and reckless driving, Fox 5 News reports.

With many people visiting family and getting sauced at Christmas parties, the holiday season is one of the most dangerous times to get behind the wheel.

This year, holiday driving was especially deadly. According to a report by the Georgia State Patrol, 17 people were killed in crashes across the state over the holiday weekend, making it the deadliest Christmas weekend since 2008, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Michael Tsilimos was kicked out of a Duluth bar this week for being loud and unruly. Instead of calling it a night, however, Tsilimos decided to go on a rampage in his truck.

Tsilimos allegedly led Norcross police on a chase before smashing his truck into the patio of the Tavern at Medlock. He's now facing a whopping 18 charges, including DUI, Channel 2 Action News reports.

Was Jamal Anderson drunk or just really tired? Back in June, the former Atlanta Falcons running back was arrested on DUI charges after police found him asleep at the wheel of his Escalade.

Anderson's lawyer argued that his client wasn't drunk at the time, merely tired. In response, prosecutors later dropped the DUI charge.

On Monday morning, Anderson pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was sentenced to 12 months of probation, CBS Atlanta News reports.

On Friday, 81-year-old Marilyn Schmitz reportedly crashed into several cars in North Fulton County, Channel 2 Action News reports. According to authorities, it wasn't Schmitz's age that was to blame for the accidents. It was Jack Daniel's.

An arresting officer found an open bottle of Jack in Schmitz's purse. When questioned, the senior citizen admitted to having a couple drinks at a concert. Schmitz is now facing a number of charges including DUI.

Schmitz was heading south on Roswell Road when she rear-ended another car, police said. She then crossed into oncoming traffic, hit another car head-on, and smashed into a power pole, causing her car to flip.

The drunk tank is already scary enough. Imagine landing in it while wearing the Christmas sweater your grandma knitted for you. You're sure to be a big hit with your cellmates.

Georgia law enforcement will be on the lookout for drunken drivers this holiday season. So if you plan on drinking at holiday parties, you should also have a plan to get home safely.