LEWISTON, Idaho – Law enforcement agencies across North Idaho announced Wednesday they are partnering up for the first ever “No Refusal Weekend” in an effort to eliminate drunk drivers on the roads during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The event comes in honor of Russell Raschka who was killed by a drunk driver in April 2015. That driver, Jordan Fuller, 26 of Lewiston, pleaded guilty to felony vehicular manslaughter and is serving an 8-year sentence.
During the Memorial Day weekend if any driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs refuses to provide an evidentiary sample, law enforcement and the prosecutor offices will seek a search warrant to obtain an evidentiary sample.
"This is the first time that law enforcement in north central Idaho has held a 'No Refusal' emphasis patrol," said Idaho State Police Sergeant Rich Adamson. "Raschka's death has taken a toll on this community and we want to remind anyone who might think about getting behind the wheel after drinking that real lives are at stake, and that it is just not worth the risk of killing someone else or yourself."
The agencies participating in the "No Refusal Weekend" include the following:
Orofino Police Department, Clearwater County Sheriff's Office, Clearwater County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Grangeville Police Department Kamiah Marshal's Office Idaho County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Moscow Police Department Latah County Sheriff's Office Latah County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Lewis County Sheriff's Office Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office Nez Perce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Idaho State Police
