A South Carolina football player was accused of driving drunk after police allegedly found him sleeping in a drive-thru on Nov. 23. Police say Tyler Thigpen, a former quarterback for the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers, was found asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle while parked in the drive-thru of a Wendy’s restaurant in Myrtle Beach. He was ultimately charged for DUI.
According to a South Carolina State Highway Patrol spokesperson, Horry County police officers asked troopers to report to the scene of the incident at about 4:40 a.m. When troopers arrived at the restaurant near 10th Avenue, Thigpen allegedly refused to participate in a field sobriety test. After he was taken to the Myrtle Beach Jail, Thigpen also refused to submit to a breath test.
At 1:55 p.m. the next day, Thigpen was transferred to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center where he was issued a $1,000 cash surety bond. Jail records indicate that Thigpen left the detention center at 4:36 p.m. Since news of the drunk driving allegations broke, Thigpen’s attorney has issued a statement urging the public to withhold their judgment until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Many people are unaware that a person can be charged for DUI even if they are found in a parked vehicle. A person who has been charged for drunk driving after being found asleep in their car may want to have legal representation. An attorney may be able to help the defendant to seek a reduction in their charge by arguing that the defendant intentionally pulled over in an effort to avoid an accident.
Source: WISTV, “Former CCU quarterback Tyler Thigpen charged with DUI“, Mary Edwards, November 24, 2014
