On the morning of December 8, in Stafford, Virginia, a Volvo driver headed off the northbound I-95 exit ramp onto Warrenton Road. It seemed a typical Sunday morning ride, and they got the green light at the intersection.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a Toyota entered the intersection against the signal. The Volvo driver acted quickly, slamming on the brakes to try to avoid the collision. Unfortunately, there was no way to stop in time. The two vehicles collided, jolting both cars and leaving the Volvo driver shaken.

As deputies arrived and began their investigation, they discovered that the Toyota driver had been drinking heavily before getting behind the wheel. Empty beer bottles littered the Toyota’s back seat.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office shared details about the incident, which could have ended much worse.

Shore News Network says no one was hurt. Deputies quickly suspected something was wrong with the Toyota driver. He showed signs of intoxication and admitted he had seven beers before driving. Officers ultimately found 24 open or empty beer bottles in the car’s back seat, along with two unopened ones.

The driver was arrested on the spot. He faces charges related to driving under the influence and driving without a license.

In 2022, Virginia convicted 14,247 people of DUI. Alcohol-related crashes killed an average of one person per day that year, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. If convicted, this driver could face hefty fines, a suspended license, mandatory alcohol education classes, and even jail time. For first-time offenders, penalties include a minimum $250 fine and potential license suspension for a year. Of course, driving without a valid license adds to the legal trouble.