Man Arrested for Driving a Pink Barbie Jeep to Get a ‘Slurpee’
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/barbie-toy-car-drunk-driver-091425-8fecf10663e649f8bc0ec5366ddab96e.jpg)
A man in Prince George, British Columbia, found himself in hot water after being arrested for driving a pink child-size Barbie Jeep while under the influence. The peculiar incident took place on a “busy” street in the city on September 5, around 9 a.m., as detailed in a media release by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper stated that despite the unconventional nature of the situation, it was essential to address the risk posed by the driver. She explained, “While it might seem to some to be an inefficient use of police time to pull over a driver in a toy car, the risk the driver was creating to other motorists on the road who were forced to go around him, coupled with the risk to himself as other drivers are not in the habit of looking for toy cars on the busy road, was enough to warrant police attention.”
The individual behind the wheel was identified as Kasper Lincoln. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Lincoln was driving with a suspended license and was also under the influence, leading to his arrest for prohibited driving. Efforts to obtain a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police regarding the incident were unavailing at the time of reporting.
Eyewitnesses captured snapshots of Lincoln joyfully cruising down a main strip in the miniature vehicle, sporting a pair of oversize reflective sunglasses. Subsequent photos depicted him being followed by a police car before being apprehended and handcuffed. In a post-release interview with CBC, Lincoln recounted his intention to meet a friend for a Slurpee but chose to utilise his roommate’s child’s toy car instead of walking due to being “lazy”, adding, “I never drove it before.”
However, despite facing a driving-under-the-influence charge, Lincoln maintained that he was unaware of contravening any laws and expressed his intention to contest the allegation. He emphasised his efforts to adhere to road safety measures by utilising hand signals while driving the Barbie Jeep. Reflecting on the experience, he stressed the importance of responsible behaviour, advising others, “Don’t drink and drive.”
Remarkably, Lincoln harboured no ill feelings towards the arresting officer, commending the officer’s conduct during the incident. Recounting the officer’s demeanor, he shared, “He was really nice. He was filling out all of this paperwork, saying, ‘This is my first time!’” The episode ended with Lincoln offering a simple yet poignant message derived from his misadventure.
The case of a man arrested for driving a child-size pink Barbie Jeep to satisfy his Slurpee craving serves as a cautionary tale against the perils of driving under the influence. The incident, while lighthearted on the surface, underscores the importance of adhering to traffic regulations and making responsible choices while on the road. As individuals grapple with the consequences of their actions, Lincoln’s misstep serves as a reminder to prioritise safety and exercise sound judgement to prevent endangering oneself and others.