Former Seattle Cop Breaks State Record for Highest Blood-Alcohol Level

Fifty-four year-old Deana Jarrett had been drinking-and struck two vehicles on April 11^th 2007. Like any other traffic violator, she was arrested by the state patrol and taken to jail. But what makes this case noteworthy, is the fact that Jarrett broke a Washington state record for having the highest blood alcohol level the state has ever seen.

COPS GONE WILD

On April 10^th, Deana Jarrett, who is a former Seattle police officer , was arrested on a traffic stop by a Redmond officer, and was already facing two counts of DUI. However, Jarrett refused to take a breathalyzer test. According to records, the former policewoman was taken to King County jail in Redmond and booked at 4:54 p.m. However, she was released less than four hours later on $500 bond.

Then on the following day, Jarrett made her way behind the wheel again. This time, per Trooper Jeff Merrill, Jarrett was stopped again after hitting two vehicles on state Route 520. Per reports, the 54 year-old hit a Volkswagen Passat from the rear. She then attempted to convince the VW's driver not to call police. Jarrett then hopped back into her Saab and drove away---but not before hitting a Lexus SUV. Trooper Merrill claims that when he stopped Jarrett, she needed assistance to be removed from the vehicle.

"She flopped to the ground. She was rambling and swearing. She would doze off and wake up," states Merrill.

Additionally, the trooper claims that he discovered five empty 4-oz.bottles of vodka, and two empty 12-oz. cans of beer on the front passenger seat. The woman was given a breath test, which revealed a blood-alcohol level of 0.47, which is nearly six times the legal limit in the state of Washington. In fact, per the state's records, since 1998 no one has had a recorded level of anything over 0.40.

SETTING THE RECORD...

There is a state law that requires police officers to seek medical attention for anyone whose blood-alcohol level has reached 0.25 or more. Thus, Deana Jarrett was transported to Evergreen Hospital for examination. While there, she was reported as being "combative"-and required soft wrist restraints to subdue her. She was then taken to the King County jail once more at 5:43 p.m., and then released on $500 bond right before 1 a.m.

Health experts claim that most people with blood-alcohol levels higher than 0.40, typically lose consciousness and/or fall into a coma. It is believed that Jarrett, being 5'5" tall and less than 140lbs, should have endured much more physical trauma based on the amount of alcohol she consumed. Per records, the woman was previously a detective with the Seattle police department, and has also gone under then name Deana Karst. She began working as an officer in 1979. Both of Jarrett's arrests have been combined into one case for prosecution.