A man who was asleep at the wheel in the fast lane was arrested Thursday morning in Marin County on charges of drunk driving, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Michael Morgan, 29, of Crownpoint, New Mexico, was book on two misdemeanor DUI charges, when officers found his silver 2014 Ford Focus blocking the two left lanes of U.S. Highway 101, north of the Freitas Parkway, Officer Andrew Barclay said.
When officers found Morgan at 3:10 a.m., there was no movement in his Ford, and the brake lights were shining bright, Barclay said. They found him asleep with his foot on the brake and the Ford still in drive.
When officers tried to wake Morgan, he took his foot off the brake and began driving forward. Officers commanded him to stop and put his car in park. Finally he did. And he was arrested after officers determined his Blood Alcohol Content level to be greater than the legal limit.
His passenger was also "sound asleep" in the car, Barclay said, and was so "intoxicated," wouldn't wake up despite "verbal commands" and "sternum rubs." Officers finally rousted him and paramedics took him to the hospital.
Barclay said the CHP encounters drivers who fall asleep at stop signs but rarely on traffic lanes of freeways. "It's remarkable no one hit them," he said.
Barclay also said the bizarre incident is a reminder to drivers to be alert for drunken drivers during the holiday season.
Local
Bay City News contributed to this report.
