Ron Bellanti - Stop Drunk Driving Now Blog

Monday, November 4, 2013

Plumber Convicted of DUI is Still Driving for the Seattle Government


Art Cochrane of Seattle, WA has been convicted multiple times for driving under the influence of alcohol. Back in 2002 he spent two days in jail and had to attend a DUI victim’s panel after crashing his car into a ditch and having a blood alcohol content of 0.18. 
Then again in 2011 Cochrane crashed into a pole and blew a BAC of 0.19.  Cochrane has been employed as a senior plumber by the Seattle Housing Authority which requires him to drive a van to and from the work sites on a daily basis.  For 15 months after his second DUI arrest Cochrane continued operating his van without restriction despite his history of drinking and driving.  

Last February Cochrane was restricted to driving vehicles with and ignition interlock device, a dashboard mounted, BAC reading device that will only start the engine after the operator has blown into it to prevent them from driving under the influence.  However, in August he paid to have an ignition interlock device installed on his work van and he was once again being paid to drive his van to work sites and work as a plumber.  A local news station investigating the situation reported that Cochrane was only doing basic manual labor work despite being paid with tax dollars for his senior plumber position.  When confronted Cochrane declined to comment saying, “Well I’m not supposed to talk to the media.” 

To read the original article click here.  

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