http://www.suite101.com/content/im-d...-drive-a357185
I'm Drunk, He's Drunk….Let the 10-Year-Old Drive
South Florida woman uses her 10-year old daughter as her designated driver.
On May 23, 2010, Audrey Willoughby (33) and her male companion, Michael Ray Green III (39) decided to have a few drinks. The duo ventured out to a bar and had one epic night of drinking. The two Floridians had planned ahead in regards to their designated driver for the evening. Willoughby had brought along her son (8) and daughter (10).
Officially, it has not been released to the public as to where the children were as Willoughby and her beau drank beer.
According to Willoughby, Green was giving the young girl lessons on Southeast Floresta Drive as they ventured home. That is why, once again according to Willoughby, that when Green suggested that she have the prepubescent girl drive them home, Willoughby thought the idea was a good one. Willoughby, later confided to police officers that she did not believe that Green was intoxicated.
She handed the keys to the child and climbed into the backseat of the car with her young son.
The bumper car rally began as soon as the juvenile pulled out into traffic. The Toyota Corolla rammed three cars before the frightened and panicked driver [inadvertently] hit the accelerator rather than the break and parked the car inside of a home.
The only injury sustained that night belongs to Green, who, when officers arrived at the scene, had a bloody hand. It was not made clear whether the injury was prior to or because of the driving fiasco.
Once officers arrived at the scene and began questioning the occupants of the car, it became clear swiftly, the barrage of bad choices that were made. The pre-teen did not hesitate to inform officers that it was indeed her who was driving while her mother and brother were in the back seat of the car. It has not been made public where the child stated Green was during the joy ride.
Green told officers, when questioned, that he had consumed merely two beers and that his license was under suspension. In January, he was charged with child abuse and sentenced to 13 months in prison to be followed by 11 months of probation.
Willoughby, who hails from the 400 block of Southeast Starflower Avenue, has also been charged with child abuse as well as permitting an unauthorized minor to drive. For those charges she is due to be sentenced on May 18th. A plea agreement has been offered that would allow Willoughby to serve no more than 18 months behind bars.
Willoughby was also charged (according to TCPalm.com) with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana after it was discovered in her purse the night of the crash.
After Willoughby and Green were taken in to custody that evening, the two children were taken to their grandfather’s house.