Man jailed for DUI after bypassing check station

OLDTOWN — A Coeur d’Alene man learned the hard way on Friday that Idaho law officers enforce the state’s mandatory watercraft inspection stations.

Troy Louis Chandler was stopped after blowing past the aquatic invasive species inspection station at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Albeni Falls Dam while towing a boat, according to court documents. The check stations are meant to prevent the introduction of dreaded quagga and zebra mussels and spread of established invasive species, but Friday’s traffic stop by a Bonner County sheriff’s deputy allegedly had the dual effect of taking an impaired driver off the road, court records indicate.

Chandler, 52, was arrested for a second-offense driving under the influence charge and misdemeanor injury to a child. The arrest report does not specify the nature of the latter charge, although it is customary in Bonner County for such a charge to be brought if an impaired driver is traveling with a child.

Chandler’s breath-alcohol concentration was measured at 0.14 and 0.13, well over the legal limit to drive of 0.08, according to court documents.

Chandler posted $1,300 in bail and Judge Lori Meulenberg appointed a public defender to represent him.

Chandler pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in Kootenai County in 2017, according to Idaho’s iCourt database.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.