Police: Drunk Dad Made 14-Year Old Son Designated Driver

Danya Bacchus

10:47 a.m. CDT, March 18, 2011

FAST FACTS:

• Police say dad used 14-Year-Old son as designated driver
• Son crashes car
• Dad faces long list of charges

(Memphis 03/18/2011)

If you're drinking alcohol, designated drivers are supposed to be good to have but Memphis Police say William Smith's designated driver was his 14-year old son.

Lola Brown was at the intersection of Lamar and American Way when the car her brother was in was

hit.

"It was like the car wouldn't stop turning and it rammed him," said Brown.

To Brown's surprise a 14-year-old got out the driver's seat and she says his father was out of it.

"There was no doubt he was intoxicated," Brown explains.

According to the arrest report, 33-year old William Smith smelled like alcohol, had blood shot eyes and slurred speech.

His blood alcohol content was .251, three times the legal limit.

Brown says Smith tried to tell officers he was driving but his younger son, who was also in the car, confessed it was his 14-year old brother.

"He said my dad made him drive. He told him he was going to get in trouble if he didn't drive."

Smith faces a long list of charges including Driving Under the Influence, Child Endangerment and Reckless Driving.

"It really could have cost somebody their life. At that moment everything could have changed for everybody in both of those cars only because your dad was intoxicated," said Brown.

The police also say Smith's license was revoked in 2003, his tags expired in May of 2010 and he had no proof of insurance.

His 14-year old son ended up getting a juvenile summons.

No one was seriously injured

LINK TO VIDEO:

 http://www.wreg.com/videobeta/1c581fca-e131-4ad0-92ac-e944c004ce8c/News/DUI-Dad