Published: December 02, 2008 10:25 am            

MS--DUI Cases

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (AP) — DeSoto County officials are urging state lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow

paramedics to draw blood, an act they say could result in more DUI prosecutions.

DeSoto County Emergency Management Agency Director Bobby Storey says often DUI offenders are never prosecuted because they fail to receive blood test. He says some DUI offenders are taken by ambulance to a hospital and simply walk out before a blood test can be administered.

Supervisor Bill Russell says the county has had several cases where parents and children have been killed and drunk drivers received no punishment because state law will not allow paramedics to draw blood.

        

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