The arrest of local teenager(17) for drunken driving and driving an unregister car was proceeding normally until the young perp concocted a cunning plan to elude police. Spotting a meter long snake slithering by, no doubt hoping to soak up some heat from the pavement on a dark night, our would-be Darwin grabs the snake and brandishes it at police.

Fortunately, the police reach for their pepper spray instead of their pistols, some news accounts indicate he fled into the bush with the snake, others say he dropped it before fleeing. Either way, the snake escapes but the driver is later recaptured.

While this could happen any where there are idiots, alcohol, and snakes, our hero hails from Berrimah, NT, Australia. Which means, the snake he grabbed was likely either a relatively harmless water python or an exceeding deadly western brown. And when he goes before the Magistrate it will be in the territory capitol--Darwin.

[url]http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20754558-5006790,00.html[/url]

Submitted on 11/18/2006

Submitted by: Rich
Reference: http://www.theaustralian.news

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
This would have been just another ho-hum DWI incident, but grabbing a snake of unknown lethality and brandishing it at police takes it to a new level! I wonder where, when...and IF they'll find this jamoke! Too funny! I'll go HM on this one!

Graham said:
Maybe Toss: Lacks Excellence
A case of, "I have a loaded snake and know how to use it!" People do the weirdest things in desperate situations.

Jack said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention

Shadow said:
Maybe Toss: No Self-Selection
he didn't get bit or shot... Though he showed a lack of judgement, I just don't think he qualifies... thanks for the submission though.

Chip said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
The fact that this took place in Australia, home to the deadliest snakes known to man, added to the fact that the police could have just as easily shot him, qualifies this as an honorable mention. Good story, Rich!

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