Hiatt insists that the 24-hour filling station has a liquor license.

Local drunk driver pretty sure this place sells beer

Though driving at an accelerated speed in the opposite direction of the 24-hour filling station/mini-mart, and with a blood/alcohol level far exceeding legal regulations, Hiatt is reported as being determined to "swing this fucker around and try to hit that Amoco on Division before two [a.m.]."

"I'm pretty sure this place sells beer," Hiatt told passenger Henry Dunning, in reference to the Amoco station. "Remember that one time when you, me and Tony were all fucked up and getting ready to drive down to Kalamazoo for that dope festival? We stopped at this place for a twelve, remember?"

And while Hiatt indeed harbors a keen memory of the Burton Ave. Amoco's business licensing, the twice-divorced 32-year-old seems to have trouble recalling other, seemingly more important memories - such as his past experiences with drinking and driving.

"Man did we get fucked up that night (of the dope festival)," Hiatt noted, just about loosing control of his '86 Lincoln while rounding a corner at 30 m.p.h. "You remember that, Henry? Maybe you weren't there; maybe it was just Tony and me. God did we get fucked up that night. Shit, I couldn't even remember driving home. Jesus, you know what? I think that's the night I got popped for my second D.U.I. Yeah. No. Wait. Maybe that was my third. Whatever."

But regardless of Hiatt's previous driving experiences, the now-unlicensed motorist's current level of intoxication leaves many questioning his ability to safely complete his beer-gathering mission. In fact, many feel Hiatt will instead be pulled over by police just beyond the speed trap he is quickly approaching - a stretch Hiatt is not expected to legally negotiate.

June 2001