Man Slams Into DWI Checkpoint: North Carolina Police Arrest Douglas Southard

Cops: Drunk Driver Crashed Into DWI Checkpoint

Sometimes, the breathalyzer test is really more of a formality.

Police in North Carolina say that they were breaking down a DWI checkpoint early Sunday morning when a 21-year-old drunk driver allegedly crashed his vehicle into the mobile test station, the Hickory Daily Record reports.

About eight people, including several officers and two suspects, were inside the blood alcohol testing field laboratory -- also known as the BAT mobile -- when Hickory resident Douglas Shane Southard hit the bus heading south at about 35-40 miles-per-hour in his red 1989 Chevrolet Camaro.

Following the crash, authorities transferred the 21-year-old to Catawba Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, WCNC reports.

"In the officer's opinion, alcohol was believed to be a contributing factor in the crash," Newton Police Maj. Kevin Yarborough said.

Police charged Southard with driving while intoxicated, driving with a revoked license, careless and reckless driving and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, according to WSOC-TV.

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