On April 20th, 2023, police respond to a vehicle crash involving a suspected intoxicated driver. >> I believe that Sam picked a video from Body Cam Files for us to review today. I don't know what I'm coming into, but whatever it is, Body Cam Bingo is going to be a part of it. [cheering] Um, this is a card. We've had one bingo on this card already, so we're looking for two. Um, we added Bro, someone dropping the race card. And, uh, my new favorite corner of For what? Um, that one's going to be one of my all-time favorites. So, um, that's what we're looking at right now. We're gonna see how it goes. >> What's going on, ma'am? What happened? >> Hello. What's going on? >> I'm calling my boyfriend. >> Where you coming from? Lawrence button. >> Literally like right there. >> Literally right there. >> Sure about that. >> Your lights are trying to turn on you. my second one. >> But this >> uh she did get out. >> Yeah, I know. And she did get out and uh >> she she was like she basically was like standing up watching me. >> What happened? Let's see how this goes. >> You have your driver license. >> Truck's pretty confused over there. What's going on here? >> Not yet. >> I'm still waiting on her. >> Yeah, but in a minute I'm about to steal the >> What happened here? Hey, Lindsay. Just stay with her. >> Do you speak English? >> No. >> Hey, do any of you guys speak Spanish? Do I speak Spanish? >> No. Google Translate. It works. It's great. Creator of Google Translate. Nice job. Thank you for that. Was the Ask them if the bus was stopped and they were stopped behind it. >> Do you want to speak Spanish or Portuguese? >> Portuguese. >> Portuguese. >> But you can speak Spanish. Okay. >> Ask them what happened. What was the bus stop? >> So she hit on them and they pushed her. >> Was the bus stop? >> The car that this woman is in is actually in pretty good condition for having been involved in a collision. Now, the vehicle that she hit that the car with the uh the Spanish or Portuguese drive speaking drivers, um that car's got some pretty serious front end damage. Um airbags went off. This isn't this isn't a low- speed 5 mph collision. This this is a dangerous collision and the possibility of there being injuries abs is absolutely present. Um you know, she didn't just tap them. She uh she hit that car pretty good. So, she absolutely brought a lot of energy into that collision sequence and that's where really where it shows is in the front end of that other car. >> So, they thought that the bus was going to stop. >> Yeah. >> So, then they slowed down and that's when the car slammed into them and they sent into the bus. >> Okay, makes sense. >> Well, ma'am, I don't know why you're going to give me your license. You're >> fine. What happened? What? What happened? >> Ma'am, let her. Ma'am, we're over here. >> No worries. Talk to me. All right. No, I'm I'm >> That's fine. She's stepping away. What's your name again? >> Excuse me. This lady just has Florida written all over her. Here, >> come outside real quick. Listen, >> I think immediately red flags should be going off when she doesn't want to exit her vehicle. Very commonly in a collision sequence, people want to get out of their cars. They were just in a collision. They want to get out. They want to put some some space in between them, maybe get off the roadway. Um, but the last thing you want to do is sit in your car. Um, so I think that's probably the first thing that I noticed as through going through this is that she she will not exit that vehicle. Um, and the longer it goes on and the more that you know I mean there's officers put their hands on her, then they take it off, they put them back on, they take it off. Um, when I put my hands on someone, I don't I typically don't stop and allow that person to further control the situation. Um, but that's a pretty big red flag and I think everyone there I think the fire department recognized it and I think the officers recognized it too that um there was something weird about this. >> We're done with the traffic investment. >> Why is she refusing to get out? >> Can you cooperate with my message? >> No, I'm not getting out of the car. >> Step out and talk to me. Okay. >> No. >> All right. I'm going to pull you out of the car. Step out of the car. >> Should I Should I video? >> I'm videoing it. Ma'am, >> come out of the car. >> The vehicle has to get towed. >> Don't catch. >> Here it comes. >> Ma'am, get out of the car. >> Your air went off. The vehicle has to be towed. Come out of the car. >> You have to come out of the car. Okay. >> Okay. >> Step out of the car. Just step out. I'm just trying to help you cuz I don't want you to reach over there and grab something. >> She's not. >> I'm going to let go you, but you're going to come out. Is that good? >> Okay. >> All right. Come on. >> And she's not coming out because >> we don't listen to people. All right. The internet has previously accused me of being too nice on a traffic stop, right? I asked the guy for ID, he said, "No." The internet's like, "Oh, you're too nice." So, I understand that there is a time and place to be nice and cordial during a traffic stop. That absolutely exists. Don't get me wrong by saying that everything should just be straight to going hands-on and being super aggressive, but there is a time after it's time to be cordial and professional and kind and caring and empathetic and all of the things that you want to be as a as a public servant and a law enforcement officer, especially to someone involved in a collision. But at some point, there's a line. And when you cross that line, it's time to not take any BS. put hands on someone, place them into custody, and take them to jail. That that has to happen at some point, especially during an investigation like this where you have an impaired driver that caused a collision, possibly hurt people. Um I I get being trying to be kind and accommodating. I absolutely understand that. But at some point, you just have to say, "We're done." And that point probably could have come sooner. >> Let's go. Let's go. I'm going to pull you out. >> We're out of options now. >> Step out of the vehicle like you were earlier. >> Come on. What? >> Get out of the vehicle like you were earlier. >> Listen. >> Step out of the car. >> Listen. Stop. >> Stop. Stop. >> Stop. Step out of >> Stop what? >> Stop doing your job. >> You don't have any options. >> She needs to go. >> Ma'am, I'm not. >> Please step out of your car. No, >> the vehicle is going to be towed. You have to come out of the vehicle. >> I'm fine with that. But >> you can't be in the car when it's getting towed. >> Okay. I need to call someone. >> All right. You'll have an opportunity for that incident. >> No, >> but you have to come out. You don't have the option to stay in the car. >> Wow. >> Like she's terrible. >> Stop. >> I love how when she says stop, they do. >> No. You were calm before. Relax. I spoke to you earlier. You were very calm. >> Yeah. >> Let's get back to that. Let's get back to that how we were before. I don't know why you're getting all hyper and some of that. All right. Can we pick it back up, please? >> Nice and calm. Right. Listen, like I explained, we're done with the crash. I'm investigating for possible driving under the influence. >> Yep. >> That's why she doesn't want to get out. >> It's okay. I just need a yes or no. You understand? All right. I'm required to warn you before you make any statements, listen to me. Can you pay attention? Give me a second. >> Ma'am, before you make any statements that you have the following constitutional rights. >> I know. I have >> She's not in custody, so she really >> But we don't need those. >> I I want I want you. I >> She can't even talk. >> Get her out of the car. It's time. >> You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. You understand? You understand? I go on the path inside. Make sure she's not reaching for nothing. You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. Do you understand that? >> No. >> What don't you understand about it? >> I would like to reach. >> She can't even talk. We >> have to get through this. Okay. >> Okay. I know. I know. Let's relax. Let's relax. We're just talking. >> We're just talking right now. >> No, we're not talking. >> We are talking. I'm trying to have a conversation with you, but I need to read this to you so you're protected. Do you understand that? >> And and and I know what I'm protecting. >> Without me reading your rights, you don't have these constitutional I need to know that you understand you have these constitutional rights. Okay. >> Well, I know that I have these consequences. >> Look, you have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. You understand? >> I don't I don't agree with that. I don't agree with that. I don't agree with that. >> I just think literally too drunk to understand. There's a a large misconception within the law enforcement community that you can only arrest impaired drivers on night shift and it's just it's simply not true. Um being a part of a traffic unit u we arrest drunks from the minute the sun rises all the way all day all afternoon into the evening all night drunks are on the road. Now maybe alcohol consumption might increase a little bit towards the evening but even that's not a 100%. It it happens all the time. You get drunks in the morning, you get drunks in the afternoon and that's what this looks like. Just an afternoon drunk. >> I don't I don't agree with it. >> Now just listen though. It must be freely. >> I DON'T AGREE WITH IT. >> OKAY, JUST LISTEN. I DON'T agree with it to the presence and representation. >> I DON'T AGREE WITH IT OF your choice before you make any >> What is he doing? >> I don't agree with it. >> If you cannot afford a lawyer, you are entitled to the presence and representation of a court appointed lawyer any statements and during any question. If at any time during the interview you do not wish to answer any questions, you are privileged to remain silent and can make no threats or promises to induce you to make a statement. This must be of your own free will. >> Wow. That's the most bureaucratic thing I've ever heard. Read. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you? >> No. >> Yeah. She said no 46 times. >> What did you What did you think she was going to say? >> Do you understand the rights? >> No. >> What don't you understand? >> I don't understand. >> What don't you understand? >> I don't understand. >> She's literally playing a game with you. >> Understand? >> So I can explain. >> I don't understand. >> I want to be >> I don't understand. >> Let's Let's bring your >> Don't Don't put your lip Put your [ __ ] eyes up. I don't want people to look at you. >> You're not looking at me. >> I don't understand. >> Just trying to figure out how to lie to you and try not to go to jail. >> My free will. >> You understand your rights, son? >> No. >> That guy's like a broken record. Give me my >> She can't even talk. >> All right. You're going to have an opportunity to talk to me. >> No. I need them. I need them right now. >> Right now. >> No. No. >> Are you ready to drive out of the car so you can take a talking? >> No. >> No. >> Like I know. I know what this problem is. >> Is this car in your name? >> Yes. >> You're the registered owner? >> Yes. What's your name? >> Erica. >> Erica. Oh, Erica. I'm Officer Mendes. Okay. Like I explained to you, Erica. I'm just trying to have a conversation. >> I don't care what your name is. >> Your first name is officer. So weird. >> Why would you go to jail? >> I'm not trying to jail. >> Why would you go to jail? >> I'm not trying. >> Cuz she's drunk as a skunk. >> What is it? Did you have any drinks today? >> Did you have anything to drink today >> before you drove, >> Erica? >> What? >> Did you have any drinks today? >> No, I'm annoyed. >> Why are you annoyed? >> I'm super [ __ ] annoyed. >> I'm annoyed that I caused a threec car wreck. I'm not going to be able to go anywhere because I'm investigating towards a driving investig. >> That's what I'm trying to do. But you're not helping me. >> What? What are you also? >> You just read her a whole bureaucratic wordy form that said she didn't have to help you. I wouldn't help you either. And I like cops. >> And you didn't have it at all? >> No. >> Okay. Would there be a reason why uh you put the car in front of you? >> No. Do you want to conduct some field sobriety exercises for me so that I can determine whether you are under the influence of you don't want to do them? All right. If you don't do them, then I have to end my investigation based on the information that I have right now. >> Which should happen should have happened like 10 minutes ago. not only being the at fault vehicle in this collision, but then I'm sure that there's alcohol, the odor of alcohol there since he's asking her about drinking and just her slur speech, her weird movements, her um you know, she just appears uncoordinated, she's lethargic, she's got slur speech, she's we got these mood swings, there's all the things that articulate impairment. I don't need her to do FSTs. It is absolutely 10 out of 10 times I would arrest this person and not one time ask them to do an FST after the very first time. Hey, do you want to do these? As soon as she said no, that's it. I'm not trying to talk her into it. I've got more than enough. I've got enough to write a warrant for an affidavit for blood. If she refuses that, I mean, this is this is a great case. I wouldn't be there trying to haggle in, well, do you want to take these exercises? which I think exercise is what you do at the gym. Um, but I don't uh Yeah, I I don't know. I don't know why we were dancing so long. I should have just cut to the chase. >> Exercise. You don't want to do You're going to be placed under risk. Suspicion of DRIVING UNDER THE IN the car. Listen, you're out of the car now. >> Come out. >> Stop. Stop. >> There we go. Out you come. >> All right. >> What is wrong with you people? Well, you're drunk, SO >> don't pinch. >> Yeah. Just cuz you say so doesn't mean we have to do it. >> Stop. >> Relax. Relax. >> No. Here comes repercussions. It's the crying. Sit down, Erica. >> Sit down. >> No, I'm >> listen. Like I explained under arrest for suspicion of driving. >> Okay, that's fine. >> Stop. >> You're just walking. right here. >> Just going to pat you down. >> Get this off. >> Yeah, we don't do that. >> Do you have a license in the car? >> Yeah, that's awesome. >> Can't find it. Been looking for the whole time. >> Erica, relax for me. This isn't helping. Okay. >> Do you have anything on you that's going to poke her? You're going to get another >> follow you to back. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Good boy. >> There we go. >> Yeah. >> Probably shouldn't have drank so much. >> Camera on. Yeah. >> Yep. Does she have a price in there? >> Of course there is. >> Erica was charged with DUI and battery on law enforcement. >> Perfect. >> She appeared in court the next morning in custody where a judge found probable cause, declared her indigent, and appointed a public defender. >> Her bond was set at $1,000, which he quickly posted, securing her release later that day under a no alcohol condition. But within weeks, prosecutors quietly dismantled the case. On May 4th, 2023, the state attorney's office declined to file the felony battery charge and instead downfiled the DUI to a misdemeanor, transferring it to county court. >> The move effectively killed the felony case. And by August, the $1,000 cash bond was refunded to her shy. >> All right, we got nothing in body cam bingo. It just she just didn't check any of the boxes. But a box that you could check is becoming a member. So on the YouTube channel, click member. You can become a member. You get that badge. So you get a fries of Frank badge. Also, when we do live chats, which we try to do one every month, you'll be able to jump in there, ask questions. I'll answer them to the best of my ability. Um we can hang out together. So all of that comes with the membership. Click that and join.