Learning from mistakes is important. People learn from their own mistakes but they can also learn from others'. A recent Clarksville DUI arrest provides an example of how not to react should someone get caught up in a criminal investigation.

Last Saturday, a car accident occurred in Clarksville, which police suggest was caused by a drunk driver. Authorities apprehended the drunk driving suspect not at the scene of the Tennessee accident but on his attempted way away from the scene.

According to reports, the suspect tried to flee the scene of the crash. When he was found, police report that he appeared to be under the influence. The suspect also reportedly made comments to the arresting officers that were incriminating, which, if true, was not a wise idea.

The fight or flight instinct is natural. The DUI suspect in this scenario chose flight as his option. In an instance like a crash, it is not a good idea to try to leave the scene. An attempted flight could hurt a person's chance to fight for a lesser charge and sentence.

Flight wasn't the only poor choice in this case. The suspect should have exercised his right to remain silent until he was able to get the advice of a criminal defense attorney. His words can and will likely be used against him when he is tried for various charges, including DUI, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an accident and more.

This suspect's mistakes not only may have hurt his chances at receiving lenient treatment by the system, but they also got him tasered during the arrest. No suspect's arrest is expected to be pleasant, but it doesn't have to be so climactic.

Source: The Tennessean, "Man tasered after fleeing scene of DUI wreck in Clarksville," Chris Smith, Oct. 8, 2012