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Published Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 | 7:14 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 | 12:05 p.m.
A police chase ended Tuesday morning when an alleged drunken driver struck a pole and a palm tree outside the Wynn Las Vegas on the Strip, Metro Police said.
The incident began about midnight when a driver called Henderson authorities to report he was driving drunk, Henderson Police spokesman Todd Rasmussen said. Henderson police found the man driving northbound on Boulder Highway, but the man didn’t pull over, even after officers turned their lights on, he said.
Rasmussen identified the man as 20-year-old Charles Pilette of Henderson. The incident prompted authorities to close part of Las Vegas Boulevard for nearly eight hours.
Henderson police notified Metro Police about the driver and handed the situation over to them after Pilette left Henderson, Rasmussen said.
Metro Police spokeswoman Barbara Morgan said that after Metro received the call from Henderson’s police department, they set up "stop sticks" – which are used to deflate tires – on Boulder Highway at Lamb Boulevard. The device failed to stop the driver, who then drove into downtown Las Vegas before turning onto Las Vegas Boulevard, she said.
During Metro’s pursuit, Pilette allegedly continued calling Henderson police, saying “if he had guns on him, he’d be shooting at officers,” Morgan said. Pilette, who was driving a green Dodge Durango, wasn't armed, police said. Morgan described Pilette as “extremely intoxicated.”
As Pilette approached the Wynn, a police vehicle slammed into the rear of his car, sending it into a spin. Officers then crashed into the vehicle to force Pilette to a stop, Morgan said.
Police shot him with bean bags and he was taken into custody.
Pilette was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, Morgan said. No one else was injured.
Las Vegas Boulevard was closed in both directions at the Wynn after the crash occurred. Morgan said she was unsure what charges the man will face.
Wow, what a novel idea.... Metro used bean bags instead of real bullets. I would say this is one very lucky guy.
Maybe those bean bags would not have been enough if this ass critically injured or killed someone while on his way to that palm tree.
This very scenario was just on a cable show called World's Dumbest... copy cat!
People will call 911 on themselves for the STRANGEST THINGS!
http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/11...
How is the palm tree? cell phones and drinking don't mix...
And we have a new candidate for "Moron of the year in Las Vegas"...
I'm sure it will be topped before long.
He was just having fun..He'll do his 30 days of community service and be back at it again shortly like the other drunk trash bags who are still out on the street after multiple DUI's..We didn't get the moniker "the dumbest city in the country" for nothing you know..
Only Vegas!
Wow, what an ordeal...
At first I thought the driver might have been George Maloof since I seen Palm and driving drunk in the same headline.
People like this 20 year old idiot that drives drunk while talking smack on their cell phone at the same time should have got shot by tasers rather than bean bags, well then again he should have gotten treated like a King...Rodney King that is ! .... Can you say : Minor Consuming Driving While Intoxicated ?
Where did the moron get the booze? The minimum age to buy or consume alcohol in NV is 21. We need a "dram shop" law in NV. Let's make those who provide alcohol to underage drinkers financially & civilly liable for the damages, injuries or deaths caused. As for this creepy-crawler, once convicted, he should be locked up for a very long time. He is a menace to all of us whether we are driving or just walking on the sidewalk.
Good job, Metro. I like your spin.
Since police men have sensitive egos and need to have frequent pats on the backs, lest they wither up and die, I would like to say GREAT JOB. This guy did absolutely everything he could to get himself killed by the cops. This incident is a prime example of how cops can protect the city, apprehend the bad guy and everyone walks away alive. Many departments across the nation have taken to actually rewarding officers for not using deadly force, and I think that is a novel idea for Metro. Perhaps Metro should the average time killer cops have had paid leave last year and offer the same time to these fine officers involver in this incident.