Shoreline driver arrested for DUI was six times the legal limit

On January 26, 2017 at 10:54, Trooper Shannon McKenzie arrested a Shoreline man who was determined to be 6 times the legal limit of intoxication.

This incident began 10:22am when the Washington State Patrol dispatchers received a call from a citizen advising that a silver Volvo was traveling in an erratic manner NB I-5 in the area of 145th. Trooper McKenzie was in the area and was attempting to locate this vehicle when he observed a Volvo parked in the grass area just off the shoulder of NB I-5 at 236th.

Trooper McKenzie made contact with the vehicle at 10:45am and observed that the driver was unresponsive with the vehicle running, in drive and his foot on the brake.

Trooper McKenzie put the vehicle in park and turned the ignition off and removed the keys. The driver could not be woken up so Trooper McKenzie called for the Fire Department. Once they arrived they extracted the driver from the vehicle and transported him to Northwest Hospital.

Trooper McKenzie was able to identify the individual as Neil T. Ehlers, 31 years old from Shoreline, Washington. Due to the driving, open containers in the vehicle along with other information that was obtained, Trooper McKenzie placed Ehlers in custody for investigation of DUI.

Trooper McKenzie later discovered from the hospital that Ehlers blood alcohol level was .480 which is 6 times the legal limit of .080. It was also determined that Ehlers had 3 previous DUIs in another state. Trooper McKenzie obtained and executed a search warrant for blood and subsequently released Ehlers to Northwest Hospital due to the high level of blood alcohol.

The Washington State Patrol would like to remind drivers to stay alert at all times of the day for impaired drivers. Most importantly, DRIVE SOBER !