SHORT PUMP, Va. (WTVR) -- The long holiday weekend produces a number of deadly crashes in the Commonwealth. Virginia State Police say 11 people died over Thanksgiving break, with four crashes linked to alcohol.
"The whole time period between Thanksgiving right through New Year’s is the deadliest time of year in the country for those driving," Chris Konshak, the executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
And police say among those driving home over the weekend, was Jack Larry, who was arrested for DUI and refusal to submit to a breath test. He was headed eastbound on Interstate-64 near Short Pump in a 2013 Volkswagen.
Troopers say the 32-year-old Larry was stopped for speeding when the officer detected an odor of alcohol.
Richmond police confirm Larry is a detective now on administrative leave.
"If you have a Virginia driver’s license, then you consent to have a sample of your breath taken if there's probable cause for DUI,” said CBS-6 legal analyst Todd Stone. “If you refuse the test, and you’re found guilty, it means an automatic one-year suspension of your license."
Troopers say Larry’s passenger was Brooke Pettit, a 27-year-old assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond. She was charged with being drunk in public, an unusual charge that begs the question: why?
"It's pretty uncommon to see a passenger charged with drunk in public,” said Stone. “Normally, there has to be very visual proof that something is in your system to be charged with that. And there has to be an appearance of belligerent activity."
