Underage Drinker Drives Into House, Police Say

CEDAR MILL, OR — Washington County Sheriff's deputies on Sunday responded to a residence in Cedar Mill that was struck by a drunk driver.

Carter Michael Culleton, 20, was lodged at the Washington County Jail on charges of driving while under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) and criminal mischief, deputies said.

Shortly before 4 a.m. June 18, deputies say Culleton — while driving a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee — hit a stop sign in the 2300-block of Northwest Woodrose Drive in Cedar Mill before driving his vehicle into a residence. No one was injured in either crash, deputies said.

Culleton's blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit, deputies said, noting also the legal drinking age in Oregon is 21; Culleton is five months from his 21st birthday.

From the Washington County Sheriff's Office:

DUII enforcement is a priority for the sheriff's office. Our deputies arrest an average of 1,000 impaired drivers each year. DUII is a 100 percent preventable crime.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office encourages the public to designate a driver when they consume substances that could impair their ability to drive. Other alternative forms of transportation, such as taxis or app-based Uber or Lyft, are readily available in the metro area.

Photo Courtesy: Washington County Sheriff's Office