DUI Driver Switches Seats With Passenger In Plainfield Traffic Stop: Police

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield police say a woman tried to avoid a DUI by switching seats with her backseat passenger during a traffic stop late last month.

Police said an officer pulled over a gray Chevrolet at about 12:50 a.m. July 27 after observing it travel 61 mph in a 45-mph zone near Route 59 and Pond View Drive.

During the stop, the officer saw the driver, later identified as the 38-year-old Domishia L. Finney, switch seats with a rear-seat passenger, Cmdr. Anthony Novak told Patch.

According to police, one of the four passengers was a 2-year-old child who was not in a car seat.

Novak said the officer made several observations during the interaction that indicated Finney, of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, was under the influence of alcohol. She agreed to perform a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, according to police, and, "based on her performance and the totality of the circumstances," she was arrested on a DUI charge.

Finney was also unable to provide proof of insurance when asked.

A subsequent search resulted in the discovery of a green leafy substance, later field-tested positive for cannabis, stored in an unapproved container in Finney's possession, according to Novak.

Police said that while officers were conducting an inventory of the car to tow it, per state law, a passenger, identified as 36-year-old Jasmine N. McCurry of Naperville, repeatedly refused to remain outside the vehicle. She was placed under arrest on a charge of obstructing a peace officer, Novak said.

Finney was charged with the following:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol — blood alcohol concentration over 0.08
• Aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol — no insurance
• Speeding 15-20 mph over posted speed limit
• Driver required to wear seat belt
• Child restraint violation — child under 8 years of age
• Operating an uninsured motor vehicle
• Unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver

Both McCurry and Finney were issued notices to appear in court and released from police custody, pending court appearances.