Drunk driver: I'm 'Ubering,' on way to get next rider

A drunk driver with an open container told a Louisiana State trooper that he was "Ubering" and on his way to pick up his next rider during a traffic stop.

Around 1:15 a.m. Thursday, a trooper noticed a red Dodge Charger drifting from lane to lane and off the shoulders on North Sixth Street in Monroe. He stopped the car just north of Glenmar Avenue.



When the trooper approached the vehicle, the driver was holding a phone out the window showing driving directions and navigation.

The driver was identified as Mark Brandon Walker, 33, of 128 Eagle Rock Drive, West Monroe.

According to the trooper, when Walker exited the car he had droopy, bloodshot eyes, low, slurred speech and smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage. He was swaying where he stood and his hands were fumbling.

Walker told the trooper he was an Uber driver on the way to pick up his next rider. He submitted to field sobriety tests and was too impaired to drive safely. He refused a breathalyzer.





A Troop F, Walker reportedly said he'd had one beer and later amended that to one shot. A 44-ounce cup with "Crown Royal" was in the vehicle. He also reportedly told the trooper that he would pee on himself and get beat up at Ouachita Correctional Center.

Walker was arrested and booked into OCC on charges of possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, improper lane use, operating a vehicle while intoxicate (second offense) and use of wireless telecommunications devices by certain drivers prohibited — exceptions.

Total bond was set at $3,150, and Walker has bonded out.

His claims of being an Uber driver, urinating on himself or being assaulted have not been verified.