Fake Hospital Room In Kentucky Turns Into Anti-Drunk Driving Promo

Comedian Tom Mabe set up a fake hospital room in Louisville, Kentucky to trick his longtime friend into thinking he was in a coma for 10 years. Mabe’s friend, who was an alleged drunk driver, had five DUI’s, and apparently needed an intervention, according to Mabe. Mabe, who’s a professional prankster and comedian, thought his friend needed some help. Mabe not only set up the fake hospital room but also showed his friend fake news reports about Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and “President Hillary Clinton” in the year 2023. Mabe also had nurses and doctors come into the room to examine him, question him and make it look authentic. In other words, they went all out in pulling off this prank. In Mabe’s own words, he called it a “half prank, half intervention.”

While this is funny, it’s also very serious. Drunk driving and DUI’s are a very serious issue. The big question here is whether Mabe was making a joke of this situation or if he was making a statement?

Related: Should There Be Tougher DUI Laws in Kentucky?

Statistics

• One person is killed every half-hour due to drunk driving.
• Each year approximately 16,000 are killed in alcohol-related crashes.
• Alcohol is a factor in almost half of all traffic fatalities.
• Every other minute a person is seriously injured in an alcohol-related crash.
• About 1/3 of DUI offenders are repeated.

Current DUI laws in Kentucky
The State of Kentucky prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle by a driver that has a .08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or above. The .08 percentage limit is the standard measurement for states across the country. Kentucky has harsher laws for a DUI with aggravated circumstances such as: transporting a child under 12-years-old, driving 30 mph over the speed limit, driving the wrong direction, causing an accident while impaired and other infractions. Here are the fines and penalties of DUI offenses:

• The first time you receive a drunk driving conviction in Kentucky, you will be fined from $200 – $500. You will also spend a minimum of two days – 30 days in jail or receive from two – 30 days of community service. Your driver’s license will be suspended from 30 – 120 days. If you are charged with an aggravated DUI you will spend four days in jail.
• The penalties increase for each offense. For a second DUI, there is a minimum of seven days in jail, a fine from $350 – $500 and a 12 – 18 month license suspension. If you are convicted for a third DUI in Kentucky, you will be fined from $500 – $1,000. You will also be ordered to one year of alcohol or substance abuse treatment. You will spend anywhere from 30 days – 12 months in jail and from 10 days – six months of community service. Your driver’s license will be suspended from 24 – 36 months.
• The fourth time you are convicted of drunk driving in Kentucky, you will be charged with a Class “D” Felony. You will be ordered to a one year alcohol or substance abuse treatment program and spend a minimum of 120 days in jail without probation. You may also be sentenced to 10 days – one year community service. Your driver’s license will be suspended from 24 months to 36 months. You will also spend 60 days in jail if aggravated circumstances were involved.

Related: California Vs. Kentucky: Are Kentucky DUI Laws More Effective?

As a Kentucky Accident Attorney, I know Mabe’s prank was extreme but it shows us what could happen to us or others in a DUI accident. You could be hospitalized or worse, die. Please don’t drunk or use drugs and drive. There have been too many lives changed forever or lost due to car accidents.