Viral Video of Scooter Attack Leads to DUI Charge
A video posted by a California woman on YouTube documenting the antics of her "neighbors from hell" has led to DUI and an assortment of other criminal charges against the woman shown in the video.
Huntington Beach resident Sarah Oliver posted the video -- which appears to show her neighbor Laura Angela Cox in a violent confrontation with her boyfriend -- on Sunday to YouTube, where it quickly went viral, racking up over 2 million views in less than four days. Meantime, Cox had already been arrested by Huntington Beach police, reports KTLA-TV.
What sort of legal trouble is Cox facing for her turn as an Internet video superstar?
Man Claims He Was Trying to Prevent DUI
In the video, Cox's unidentified boyfriend is shown pulling a mobility scooter behind Cox's truck. The man told KNBC-TV that he was trying to prevent Cox from driving under the influence.
Cox then exits the truck and begins screaming in the man's ear. She pounds on the back of the truck before eventually toppling the man's scooter, sending him sprawling to the concrete.
Cox then backs the truck over the man's scooter and narrowly avoids running over the man himself. In the video, the man can be heard yelling "I'm calling police. You're going to jail."
Meth-Related DUI, Domestic Battery
The man apparently followed through on his threat, as police later arrested Cox. She was charged with driving under the influence of drugs with a prior offense, being under the influence of a controlled substance, vandalism, and domestic violence battery.
Under California law, a second conviction for DUI can result in between 90 days and one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000, in addition to driver's license suspension. Domestic battery in California can also be punished by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
After Cox pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, her boyfriend told reporters that "nothing happened," and that he fell off his scooter, according to KTLA. Cox's next court appearance is set for Friday.
Related Resources:
- Viral video of scooter versus truck fight leads to DUI arrest of woman (Los Angeles Times)
- NYC 'Speed Racer' Arrested After Viral Video (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Trucker v. Trooper: Traffic Stop Video Goes Viral (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Viral 'Instant Karma' Road Rage Video Gets Driver Arrested (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
