A Burien deputy arrested an underage driver early Thursday morning, Sept. 11 on suspicion of driving under the influence of cannabis and unlawful possession of a firearm, police said.
According to the Burien Police Department, the arrest happened around 1:16 a.m. when a deputy stopped an unlicensed vehicle in the city. Officers said they detected a strong odor of burnt cannabis coming from the car.
The driver, who was under 21, admitted to smoking cannabis before driving. Police noted that it is unlawful in Washington for people under 21 to smoke, consume, or possess cannabis.
“Based on the physical signs of impairment, admission of consuming cannabis, and unsatisfactory completion of field sobriety tests, the driver was placed under arrest for DUI,” Police said in a statement.
After the arrest, officers reported finding a firearm inside the suspect’s vehicle. Police said the driver was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The department reminded residents that cannabis use while driving is dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that marijuana users are more likely to be involved in crashes.
“Grass is always greener when you are not DUI,” the department noted.
Photos courtesy Burien Police Department.
