Mugshot of Jean Philistin. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — A safari taxi driver accused of endangering more than a dozen passengers during a reckless and intoxicated drive along Veterans Drive was arrested this week after police say he struck road dividers and swerved across lanes before being stopped by officers.
According to the V.I. Police Department, officers on patrol Monday observed the safari pulling away from a bus stop and colliding with several yellow plastic traffic dividers along the roadway. The driver failed to stop after the collision and continued heading west, weaving within the westbound lane and veering into the eastbound lane, prompting officers to initiate a traffic stop.
When officers approachedthey identified the driver as Jean Philistin and immediately suspected that he was intoxicated. The smell of alcohol, along with Philistin’s slurred speech and red, glassy eyes, raised further concern. Officers ordered him out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests, which he failed.
A subsequent breathalyzer test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .123%, well over the legal limit. Police then arrested Philistin, charging him with driving under the influence and 12 counts of reckless endangerment, representing each passenger aboard the safari.
As of press time, no public court records indicate the outcome of Philistin’s advice-of-rights hearing, which was scheduled for Tuesday, October 21.
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