Margaret Stees: Honesty not always best
On Dec. 20, 2014 (a stormy, snowy night), I attended a Christmas party at the Clarion Inn in Craig.
I had one cocktail at 9:30 p.m. and then resorted to water as I knew I had to drive home. At 12:30 a.m., I left and headed to Hayden. I came upon an accident on Highway 40 between Hayden and Craig. I was stopped as there were patrol cars and emergency vehicles on the highway.
After the accident was cleared, a state patrol officer came to my window and asked me if I had been drinking. I told him I had one drink three hours prior. He told me to pull my car off to the shoulder of the highway.
After a roadside sobriety test, I refused the breathalyzer and opted for the blood test. After the blood test at the Craig Memorial Hospital, I was transported to Steamboat where I was booked into the Routt County Jail. It was now 3 a.m. They finger-printed and photographed me. I was then asked to do a breathalyzer test. I consented, results — 0.00. I then posted bond.
At 4 a.m., the arresting officer came into the jail and asked about a pill bottle in my purse. I was confused as I don’t “do” pills. I realized he was talking about an Advil bottle that I kept with me. It contained allergy medication, Tylenol and a few pain relievers for a medical condition that I experience every once in a while.
He told me it was illegal to carry prescription drugs that are not in their original bottles. Now, not only was I being charged with a DUI but with a felony as well. After doing a DNA test I was released at 7 a.m.
To the public:
After my experience here is valuable information I would like to share:
■ The roadside sobriety test is a voluntary test. It’s up to you if you want to consent to taking this test.
■ Any prescription medication must be kept in the original container. If you’re found with prescription drugs in your possession that are not in the original container, it will be considered illegal.
■ This is a felony and you will be charged.
To my family, friends and Nail Wizard clients:
Thank you for believing in me and standing by my side while I waited nine weeks for the results of the BAC test to come back. It came back at 0.021 and no oxycodone was detected. Because of these results, my case was dismissed Feb. 25, 2015.
To the arresting officer:
I was taught if you accuse someone of something and find out they aren’t guilty, the right thing to do is apologize.
■ I feel you owe me an apology for the nightmare you put me through that night.
■ For my car being towed and impounded for which I had to pay to have it released.
■ For the bruises I incurred on my wrists from your handcuffs.
■ For the stress I had for nine weeks waiting for my BAC results to come back.
■ Finally, for the embarrassment of my name being publicized.
I was stopped for a vehicular emergency, not a traffic violation. I say to you … Do the right thing!
Margaret Stees
The Nail Wizard, Steamboat Springs
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.