Write-in candidate for Poulsbo City Council arrested for DUI

SUQUAMISH — Fred Springsteel, a write-in candidate for Poulsbo City Council, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Sunday morning near Masi Shop on Highway 305.

The Herald called Springsteel’s two phone numbers Wednesday afternoon and left messages.  A Suquamish Tribe police officer pulled over Springsteel, 71, at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Oct. 23 after seeing him drive over the fog line three times. Springsteel later told officers he moved over the fog line when passing vehicles approached because he didn't want to be hit by a drunken driver, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.

The sheriff’s officer reported she was "immediately greeted with hostility" when she approached Springsteel.

The officer noticed Springsteel's speech was "slow, slurred and deliberate," and asked how much alcohol he consumed. Springsteel said he had "one or two" and not in the last hour, but later told a Washington State Patrol trooper he had been drinking all night long.

The Suquamish and county officers called for state backup, who arrested Springsteel for DUI. When booked into the Kitsap County Jail, Springsteel had a blood alcohol content of .074. He was released Sunday evening after posting bail.

Under state law, a person can be arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence if he or she has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, as shown by breath or blood test; or if he or she is “under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug.” The maximum penalty for DUI in the county is 364 days in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Springsteel, a retired college professor, is a write-in candidate for council Position 3 in the Nov. 8 election. Gary Nystul, Bremerton city auditor and former Kalispell, Mont., council member, is the only candidate on the ballot.

 

 

 

Contact North Kitsap Herald Megan Stephenson at mstephenson@northkitsapherald.com or 360-779-4464.

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