Sep 20, 2011 12:38 PMA Southampton man was charged with DWI early Friday morning after State Police said he drove the wrong way on Sunrise Highway in Hampton Bays.
An off-duty Southampton Town Police officer called 911 at about 12:35 a.m. to report that a motorist—later identified as John F. Jensen, 72—was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of the highway east of Exit 65, according to New York State Police. Troopers said they blocked traffic at the Exit 65 overpass and were able to stop Mr. Jensen, who was driving a 2011 C300 Mercedes-Benz.
Mr. Jensen, who troopers said was unaware that he was traveling in the wrong direction on a divided highway, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor DWI after failing several field sobriety tests, they said.
He refused to take a breath test at the State Police barracks in Riverside and was held for arraignment at Southampton Town Justice Court, police said.
Mr. Jensen was released on his own recognizance following an arraignment in Southampton Town Justice Court in front of Justice Andrea Schiavoni, and is due back in court on October 12 at 1 p.m., according to court officials.
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In virtually all other criminal matters, the law takes into account the "mens rea" (evil intent) of the perpetrator as well as the "actus reus" (evil act) which he committed. In DWI, legislature has excluded any consideration of mens rea because virtually none of the accused actually have it.
This is as it should be. But to lump Mr. Jensen in the same category as Jeffrey Dahlmer is crazy (to use a word of which Dahlmer would approve.) Dahlmer intended to commit the horrendous crimes that he perpetrated. Mr. Jensen's extraordinary lapse of judgment, caused by over-indulgence, created a situation wherein a horrendous crime could happen that he had no wish to commit.
Alcohol causes nice people to act incredibly stupidly and irrationally. Based on the comments of other posters, this would appear to be the case with Mr. Jensen. Don't condemn the man entire because of one terrible mistake.
Thank god that no one was hurt but save your ire for evil people who intentionally do evil.
HH, I expect consistancy from you - you're slipping in your old age.
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