REPORT: Police auctioning off motorized La-Z-Boy used in DWI
If you've ever had the urge to cruise your neighborhood in a self-propelled La-Z-Boy, your opportunity has arrived. Minnesota resident Dennis Anderson (no relation to the Gravedigger monster truck franchise – we think) has forfeited his notorious motorized, and over-the-top modified, recliner chair involved in his DWI incident and crash recently is going on the eBay auction block later this week.To recap, this masterpiece of motorized furniture isn't your average run-of-the-mill family room napper. This particular innovative and highly customized chair is fitted with a nitrous-boosted lawnmower engine good for a top speed in the neighborhood of 20 mph (it is fitted with a parachute... apparently in case you happen to drive off a cliff). Dual headlights help guide you home from the late nights at the bar, while an integrated stereo sound system will make you everyone's envy at the stop lights (maybe from the curb, as we don't think it is technically street legal).
While Mr. Anderson got off with two years of probation for his antics, his prized possession is sadly being liquidated – sans reserve price – thanks to a Minnesota law allowing police to auction vehicles seized in drunk-driving cases. So, what do you think it will go for?
[Source: Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
leftlaneabuse 5:50PM (10/27/2009)
Nitrous?! Is that for the engine or the driver?
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Pat 6:38PM (10/27/2009)
Depends. Who's asking?
9600baud 5:54PM (10/27/2009)
i'm sorry but 2 years probabation for this? thats ridiculous, they should've fined him for disorderly conduct or something and let him go... nannystate typical crap.
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cvialp5901 6:21PM (10/27/2009)
The fact that they have the right to auction off a vehicle is ridiculous, I don't condone drunk driving however this is a little overboard.
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ytilanigiroon 6:44PM (10/27/2009)
Driving while impaired or distracted is something that I don't mind the law being over-zealous about. If you decide to take everyone else's life in your hands because you're too cool to call a cab, then Johnny Law should be able to take your car at least.
ForgedInternals 6:57PM (10/27/2009)
If you drive drunk you should have you license permanently revoked, I think confiscating a car is bellow far
Conundrum 6:57PM (10/27/2009)
Yep, I was hit head on by a DUI driver. Fortunately I survived. Unfortunately he did not. I have little mercy for someone who doesn't respect others on the road enough to do the right thing. Hopefully he will learn before something worse happens than loosing a motorized armchair.
Edsel 7:34AM (10/28/2009)
It's one thing to remove a persons privilege to operate a motor vehicle but another matter entirely to confiscate private property. A chilling reminder that we don't own anything in the eyes of government - we are simply lease holders of life.
TigerMil 6:47PM (10/27/2009)
sold for 'tree fiddy five!
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Brian05SEL 6:48PM (10/27/2009)
Going up for auction, huh? I'd buy that for a dollar! :)
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Sasha 6:35AM (11/01/2009)
If people are good and decent, people would recognize that bidding on this is tantamount to buying stolen property. He endangered no one and broke no natural laws, only some made up crap that serves to practical purpose of protecting public health.
Someone should snap it up for $.01 at the last second, and give it back to the poor guy. Good grief.
Why the draconian attitude towards DWI and a slap on the wrist for texting while driving, when they have been shown to be equally dangerous to drivers?
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mfews6 8:39AM (10/28/2009)
If someone is caught poaching, they lose their weapon, vehicle, and the right to hunt for several years. You are not endangering anyone else's life but the animals you are trying to kill.
If someone is caught drunk driving, in most states they only get fines.
Crazy!
You are endangering innocent motorists!!!!!
I say take the car/truck away!!!! We've already seen that taking the licenses away doesn't stop anything. They continue to drive regardless.
If more states could take away the cars of drunk drivers, this would be one more step to keep the drunks off the roads.
You want your car back? Bid on it like everyone else.
Heck, all auction proceeds for the vehicles should go to help the families of those killed by drunk drivers.
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jax joe 8:00PM (10/30/2009)
Too Funny!
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jax joe 7:59PM (10/30/2009)
This is the most absurd thing yet. A DUI in a "TRUE" motor vehicle is one thing, but a golf cart, bicycle, lawnmower, lazyboy - whatever is rediculous. How much damage could be done with these modes of transportation? What is their top speed? Do you need a driver's liscence to operate one of these. I feel so much safer everytime I see a DUI checkpoint or a speedtrap. Never mind the Thugs are still shooting, looting and robbing. Is law enforcement afraid to go after these people?
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al schrader 5:11AM (11/03/2009)
I'll build you a brand new one, your choice of color, for half price of $21,500 includes seat belt. Sit back. Relax. Drive up to the Sonic Burger take-out and not stress while they grow your french fries....alfredschrader@aol.com
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