The First I was arrested and put in Jail

 Driving fast was always my need for speed disability. I never knew when to keep the foot out of the carburetor and slow down to the posted speeds but we all change as we learn the hard way not to drive your car faster than what the law allows. 

My buddy Sean was a risk taker and a lady’s man as he showed off his Elvis like hair style to the girls on the base and anytime the opportunity gave him a chance to flirt and date total strangers we met in the bars. I was married but he was single so it was an odd couple and the rules were different from him and me. I had to make sure I had a ride back to the base so I hung out with him as much as I could.

 Most of Jefferson County was dry so we had to look far to find a bar that served us GI’s and where the price was not too steep even back when everything was so much more cheaper than before. Having a car was a bonus and we took advantage of that every weekend when we did not go home as Sean and I lived in the same city just on opposite sides of town.

We were driving down Interstate 71 coming into Montgomery County when the gates of hell opened loose and threw us a curve I would never forget. In the army and home on leave, I was desperately trying to find rides to and from my assigned army base in Louisville and my home in Columbus Ohio. 

It was a gamble I had to take as my car was broke down and needed repairs I couldn’t afford thus I hitched a ride with army buddies to and from on the weekends. Sean was my best bet and I appreciated the fact he never hesitated to give me a ride. 

A speed freak, he drove a 1969 Pontiac GTO. It has a flashy red paint job and the shining magnesium wheels drew attention to anyone we were passing or even standing still. His dual exhaust pipes roared as he accelerated at a high speed jumping off the change of lights like he was at the drag strip. I had to get used to his driving and tolerate his adolescent ways if I wanted to go home on weekends and see my family. 

It was 3 o clock in the morning when the red lights appeared behind us as I was sitting in the passenger side soundly asleep but awoken by the loud siren that warned us to pull over. I looked at Sean and asked him “what’s wrong” and he said he didn’t know and that he wasn’t speeding or anything like that. 

I knew that was a lie because before I closed my eyes he was doing 90 mph and I didn’t mind that but I believe the cop had clocked him doing that a little while back before he slowed it down. 

A risk taker and rule breaker Sean sped up and the cop began to howl his siren with short bursts of wails that nobody could ignore. Before I knew it there were more cops joining the one behind us in the chase and we even saw a helicopter up in the air as we neared the town of Lebanon just past the county line. Its lights were flashing red just like the patrol cars but it was the spotlight on us that made us realize he was marking us for a target. 

Sean reluctantly pulled over and as we heard the cop shout out directions to stay in the car and show them our hands, we were swarmed by at least six cops with guns drawn out to shoot us if they had to because they thought they were in danger. Almost immediately they recognized us as soldiers on leave. It could have been the haircuts or maybe the olive drab duffle bags in the back seat but regardless they pulled us out one by one and told us to sit on the ground away from the car. It was then the arresting cop said Sean was doing 110 mph when he clocked him back there about 15 miles or so. 

Six hostile cops, a helicopter above us and two soldier on leave and in deep trouble. I realized Sean was driving so my mind was not so much concerned on the ticket but I had to start thinking about finding a ride back to the base in case they kept Sean and impounded the car. It was a dilemma I couldn’t do anything about till we got to the sheriff’s station as by now the county sheriff deputies had also joined the chase. 

License and registration wee the first real rational words that came out of the mouth of the hostile cop. I pulled out my Ohio driver’s license as Sean pulled out his and that’s when I was shocked beyond anything else that had entered my brain. Sean had a temporary learner’s license that required him to have a licensed drivers to ride with him and accept responsibility for his conduct or driving skills. 

Ohio law says if you are under 18 years old, your parent, legal guardian, person with legal custody, or a responsible person who is willing to assume the legal obligations must accompany you. This person must also provide proof of his identification.  The cop turned, smiled and told me he was arresting me for speeding and everything else he could think of while Sean seemed to be off the hook.

 It didn’t seem right. I didn’t know he had just turned 18. I though he was an adult and had his own license. I tried to argue with the cops but the handcuffs were tightened as they put me in the patrol car to haul me off to jail. They were laughing as they contemplated charging me with street racing as well. It was funny to them but I knew I was about to have a nightmare I would never forget. 

I was initially charged with speeding, reckless operation and driving without a valid license. Now mind you that wasn’t all true but it was good enough for the cop to justify booking me and throwing me in jail. Sean, my co-pilot and good friend was driving but it didn’t matter to the highway patrolman who pulled us over.

Arriving at the station, the cop strutted me to jail dressed in his brown uniform and big looking gold star. He told me a judge will set bail and I would be allowed one phone call to call a lawyer to help me with my charges. I was booked into the Montgomery county jail awaiting the chance to make a call when I decided to call home and see if they could come down and post my bail in the morning. 

I knew I was going to be late for Monday morning roll call but I was behind bars and nothing would change until I came up with the money to release me. I was glad I cooperated with the officer’s instructions as they cut me a little leniency as a soldier and not so much as a criminal. They had searched the car for drugs and weapons and found neither. Another break for us as we were given a little more consideration as time went by. So far it was speeding and a few other charges but the mood was lifted less hostile as we cooperated fully.

One of the cops asked us why we were going so fast and Sean blurted out we were late for being on post and roll call. We would be counted AWOL if absent and we were trying to beat the clock. One deputy offered us a phone call to the base but we declined saying it would only make matters worse as it would be reported to the first sergeant and duty officer and hell would have to be paid for that. 

The bail was set, the other charges were dropped except for speeding and we were released to head out to the base. We lost one day of pay, one stripe for being absent without leave and extra duty to clean the barracks as well as a suspended sentence for weekend furloughs I didn’t want because this was more embarrassing to me than it was to Sean since I was hold the bag that cost me all that money.  Sean being Sean never offered to pay it back and I never hitched a ride with Sean ever again.