Police Called After Fender-Bender In Pick-Up Line.
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Police arrested a mother who was at a middle school on Wednesday to pick up her child, after they said the woman failed a field sobriety test.
Greenville police said that they were called to Greenville Middle Academy on Lowndes Avenue at about 2:45 p.m. regarding a minor traffic accident in the pick-up line in front of the school.
An officer said that when he asked one of the drivers, Marcia Peyrouse Gaines, 49, for her license and registration, she fumbled around and seemed unsteady on her feet.
Greenville Police Cpl. Jason Rampey said, "In this case, when she went to present her identification -- her driver's license -- to the officer, she presented a credit card. That is one observation he made which led him to believe that something is not right here and he looked into the matter further."
After the officer noticed the smell of alcohol, a field sobriety test was performed.
Gaines was arrested and was taken into custody. Police said that she submitted to a blood-alcohol test that determined her blood-alcohol level was 0.23 percent, nearly three times the legal level.
She is charged with driving under the influence, first offense. A first offense DUI with a blood alcohol level of .08-.09 carries a fine starting at $400 or up to 30 days in jai. But based on Gaines' blood alcohol level, she faces a fine of at least $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail.
No one was hurt, but police say the potential for disaster was there.
Rampey said, "I think one of the things that is so egregious about this is that there were kids present and so many other people present in this line."
He said that the lesson is a simple one: "People use common sense. If you're going to drink, don't drive."
When WYFF 4's Mrya Ruiz asked Gaines for a comment, she had nothing to say except, "I'm sorry you're having such a slow news day."
Subject: Mom Accused Of DUI In School Pick-Up Line 
Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:24 pm
