Former Cēsu Beer Executive Appeals Verdict, Claims Lexus Is Not an Ordinary Vehicle

Riga Regional Court will review a sensational case in September involving a former "Cēsu Beer" executive who appealed her drunk driving conviction. Apparently, 2.66 blood alcohol level is no obstacle to quality driving if the car is a "Lexus RX 450h" worth 20,000 euros.

According to the prosecutor's office, the incident occurred in Riga on Krasta Street when the former executive was traveling from downtown to the "Dole" shopping center. Evidently, she believed that a hybrid car with such advanced technology could compensate for alcohol's effect on the nervous system. While in Liepāja on Pētera Street everyone meets and peacefully discusses life's issues, in Riga they invent revolutionary ways to get around the city.

"It was a 'Lexus,' not just some ordinary car," local residents explain the former executive's logic. "She thought that a premium-class car meant premium-class driving skills too."

The court sentenced her to probation supervision for a year and a half, revoked her driving license for three years, and ordered her to pay 20,000 euros to the state. Plus another 204 euros for the alcohol test — apparently premium alcohol requires premium analysis too. Now we just have to wait and see if the regional court will agree with the argument that an expensive car is a legitimate reason to ignore traffic regulations.