Rochester, N.Y.—Not long after most of the nation was celebrating the beginning of a new year, Monroe County Sheriff's Deputies were chasing a Rochester man named Allen Jackson.
Jackson was stopped by a deputy early Tuesday morning after he allegedly ran a red light on St. Paul and Norton Streets. The deputy noticed an open can of beer that had tipped over, according to court documents. As the deputy waited for a tow truck, deputies allege that Jackson escaped the patrol car. He was later found and brought to jail.
BackgroundAllen Jackson’s license had been suspended 13 times for various violations according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Three of eight felonies stem from DWI convictions, according to court documents. His New York State driver’s license was taken away following the final conviction in August 2011.
Outraged MotoristsDrivers who spoke with 13WHAM about Jackson’s case said they are frustrated that drivers with multiple DWI convictions are able to get behind the wheel.
“It is just disturbing,” said Jim Benbow, a driver.
“To think that people can get away with that, it kind of sends the wrong message,” said Patrick Doyle, another driver.
Jackson’s case may seem surprising, but state data indicate that such cases are not so rare.
More than 50,000 drivers with valid or suspended licenses have at least three alcohol-related convictions within their lives, according to state records.
Because of the abundance of repeat offenders in 2012, the DMV was
given greater power to target dangerous drivers. The DMV can permanently revoke a license for those with five or more convictions.
