According to an ESPN report, a New Jersey Judge has overturned an earlier DWI conviction that occurred on a Zamboni. I’ll let ESPN do the explaining:
Zamboni operator John Peragallo had been charged with drunken driving in 2005 after a fellow employee at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown told police the machine was speeding and nearly crashed into the boards.
Police said Peragallo's blood alcohol level was 0.12 percent. A level of 0.08 is considered legally drunk in New Jersey.
After his conviction, ice resurfacer John Peragallo took his case to the court of appeals, where it was overturned on the premise that “Zambonis aren’t driveable on highways, and they don’t carry passengers.”
Good to know, just in case I’m ever in New Jersey and have tipped a few back at the rink. I doubt the same would fly here in Ohio, where its been rumored that you can get a DWI on a bike, if you’re over that .08 limit.
Interestingly, our New Jersey rink worker friend admitted to drinking Sambuca with his breakfast, then taking two Vicadin pills, but claimed to have not consumed his beer and vodka beverages until after resurfacing the ice. "Drunk" or not, a .12 BAC might leave his Zamboni looking like the picture above.
