When DUI Meets DIY Destruction: Camper Takes the Hit
In what might be described as the holiday hangover that no one asked for, deputies in Marion County responded to a chaotic scene Friday involving a truck, a camper, and enough alcohol to inspire a country song.
Peter Booth, the star of this unconventional drama, was arrested after allegedly ramming a camper and a Hyundai Genesis at a residence on NW 145th Avenue Road. According to authorities, Booth claimed he was seeking justice for his girlfriend, who he believed had met a grim fate at the hands of the camper’s occupants. Problem is, Booth admitted he didn’t know their names—or, it seems, much else.
Deputies arrived to find Booth’s black Ram pickup sporting fresh white paint transfer and him slurring his words, bleeding from his nose, and reeking of alcohol. Booth reportedly told deputies he had consumed “three and a half beers” at a local watering hole charmingly named “The Beach,” though his actions suggested he’d had a few extra splashes of holiday cheer.
Witness Johnny Hamrick, who was renting the now heavily dented camper, described hearing crashes and feeling his temporary home shake like a Christmas snow globe. The damage to his Hyundai Genesis was pegged at $20,000, while the camper, owned by Stephen Mayor, suffered $15,000 in losses.
Booth, who allegedly forgot most of the evening’s events but conveniently remembered handing over his keys to law enforcement, was subjected to a field sobriety test. Deputies noted signs of intoxication that included difficulty standing, bloodshot eyes, and a performance of “Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus” that was less dance recital, more public service announcement.
Booth was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, felony criminal mischief (two counts), and driving under the influence. He was transported to the hospital for evaluation, where his festivities officially ended in handcuffs.
No word yet on whether Booth’s girlfriend exists, but one thing’s for certain: This is one holiday season he won’t soon forget—unlike most of Friday night.
