DUI driver attracts attention to self with police siren

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — The last thing a man who police suspect was driving drunk wanted to do was have attention drawn to him.

So turning on the police-quality siren in his vehicle probably was the last thing he wanted to happen.

Just after 5 a.m. Sunday, two people were in a Range Rover near 2142 E. 6675 South. The vehicle was equipped with police-quality red and blue lights and a siren. For an unknown reason, the passenger in the vehicle turned on the siren, said Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Gary Young.

A nearby officer heard the siren and went to check it out.

The officer recognized the vehicle wasn't a police car, and immediately detected an odor of alcohol on the driver's breath after pulling him over, Young said. The officer eventually determined the driver was drunk, cited him for DUI and impounded the vehicle, he said.

Police were investigating the vehicle had lights and sirens. There was no indication the driver was impersonating an officer. The driver claimed he had permission to have the lights installed, Young said.

— Pat Reavy

Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam