A rather fantastic case in Oregon came to a fitting conclusion recently. A gentleman had been drunk while operating his motorized wheelchair. Apparently he struck a truck while crossing a street in the crosswalk. The arresting officer decided that the man’s wheelchair was a “vehicle” and he was arrested, charged and ultimately convicted of DUI.

However, the appeals court determined that anyone in a wheelchair, motorized or not, is actually a pedestrian since they are unable to walk themselves. In essence, the man was not behaving in a disorderly fashion and was simply going about his business after having had a few. His conviction was reversed and he was acquitted of all charges.