28-1386. Operating a motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft or water skis under the influence; emergency response costs; definitions

343 words·~2 min read·/az/title-28/28-1386

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. A person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor releasing substances, who causes an accident that results in an appropriate emergency response and who is convicted of a violation of any of the following sections is liable for the expenses of that emergency response:

1. Section 28-1381, 28-1382 or 28-1383.

2. Section 28-8279, section 28-8280 or section 28-8282, subsection C.

3. Section 5-395 or 5-397.

B. The expenses of an emergency response are a charge against the person liable for those expenses pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section. The charge is a debt of that person. The public agency, for-profit entity or not-for-profit entity that incurred the expenses may collect the debt proportionally. The person's liability for the expenses of an emergency response shall not exceed one thousand dollars for a single accident. The liability imposed under this section is in addition to and not in limitation of any other liability that may be imposed.

C. Any testimony, admission or other statement made by a defendant in a proceeding brought pursuant to this section or any evidence derived from the testimony, admission or statement is not admissible in a criminal proceeding arising out of the same accident.

D. As used in this section:

1. "Expenses of an emergency response" means reasonable costs directly incurred by a public agency, for-profit entity or not-for-profit entity that makes an appropriate emergency response to an accident, including the costs of providing police, fire fighting, rescue and emergency medical services at the scene of an accident and the salaries of the persons who respond to the accident but excluding charges assessed by an ambulance service that is regulated pursuant to title 36, chapter 21.1, article 2.

2. "Public agency" means this state and any city, county, municipal corporation, district or other public authority that is located in whole or in part in this state and that provides police, fire fighting, medical or other emergency services.