Man arrested after testing nearly six times the legal limit

May 9, 2006

- GRESHAM, Ore. - Tipsy drivers getting ticketed for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) is nothing new in the Portland metropolitan area.

But one man who hit street signs and several stopped cars in Gresham in March got the attention of police after his blood tested for an alcohol level nearly six times the legal limit.

One person in a vehicle hit by Steven Hawkins was injured, but is now out of the hospital.

Hawkins' .47 blood alcohol level was close to toxic, and the amount of drinking required to achieve that level was high.

Over a five hour period, a 185-pound adult male would have to consume either seven bottles of wine, nine pitchers of beer or 23 shots of hard liquor to achieve such a high blood-alcohol level.

The 39-year-old Canby resident told police he had been drinking vodka.

An officer involved in the case said that in over 20 years on the force, he had rarely seen anyone post such a high number.

Police say Hawkins was in and out of consciousness at the time of his arrest, and was lucky to be alive.

They also said he's lucky he didn't kill anyone.

The Multnomah County District Attorney's office said Hawkins could face a long list of charges besides the DUII charge, including fourth-degree assault charges.