Source: Driver's Facebook Video Leads To Arrest, OVI Charges In Franklin County
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Drinking and driving and bragging about it on social media. Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott says a post on Facebook helped deputies track down the accused drunk driver before someone got hurt.
Scott says 28-year-old Dustin Rittgers posted a video on his personal Facebook page taking a drink of alcohol while he was behind the wheel of a car.
"You've got a distracted driver and a drunk driver just exponentially causing danger wherever he went,” said Sheriff Scott.
One of Rittger’s Facebook friends commented, “Dude, really!!!”
“I am a good driver. Don't worry,” Rittgers responded.
He went on to comment, “I gots one finger on the steering wheel Facebook while it's raining…I am good. I am a pro.”
"He's got his hands full when he's trying to drive. He's drinking and he's paying attention to his phone,” Sheriff Scott said. “I mean, we are, I think, very fortunate this didn't end with some type of tragedy.”
The sheriff says a tipster who saw Rittgers’ Facebook post warned deputies who tracked the suspect's car down and pulled him over near State Route 665 and Hibbs Road in southwest Franklin County.
Rittgers is facing criminal charges including OVI, OVI refusal, following too closely, marked lane violation and open container in a motor vehicle.
The sheriff says the Facebook post is evidence that could help prove those charges.
"There’s no privacy issue going on. He posted. He confessed. He gave us the evidence,” Sheriff Scott said.
Rittgers’ family says people shouldn't be quick to judge, saying he recently suffered a personal tragedy.
"He's really smart; he's just going through a lot. It’s too much for him to handle,” Amber Boothe, Rittgers’ girlfriend, said.
Rittgers has faced OVI charges twice before in 2007 and 2011.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Drinking and driving and bragging about it on social media. Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott says a post on Facebook helped deputies track down the accused drunk driver before someone got hurt.
Scott says 28-year-old Dustin Rittgers posted a video on his personal Facebook page taking a drink of alcohol while he was behind the wheel of a car.
"You've got a distracted driver and a drunk driver just exponentially causing danger wherever he went,” said Sheriff Scott.
One of Rittger’s Facebook friends commented, “Dude, really!!!”
“I am a good driver. Don't worry,” Rittgers responded.
He went on to comment, “I gots one finger on the steering wheel Facebook while it's raining…I am good. I am a pro.”
"He's got his hands full when he's trying to drive. He's drinking and he's paying attention to his phone,” Sheriff Scott said. “I mean, we are, I think, very fortunate this didn't end with some type of tragedy.”
The sheriff says a tipster who saw Rittgers’ Facebook post warned deputies who tracked the suspect's car down and pulled him over near State Route 665 and Hibbs Road in southwest Franklin County.
Rittgers is facing criminal charges including OVI, OVI refusal, following too closely, marked lane violation and open container in a motor vehicle.
The sheriff says the Facebook post is evidence that could help prove those charges.
"There’s no privacy issue going on. He posted. He confessed. He gave us the evidence,” Sheriff Scott said.
Rittgers’ family says people shouldn't be quick to judge, saying he recently suffered a personal tragedy.
"He's really smart; he's just going through a lot. It’s too much for him to handle,” Amber Boothe, Rittgers’ girlfriend, said.
Rittgers has faced OVI charges twice before in 2007 and 2011.
