Squirrel, cat, turtle and overhanging tree blamed for car crash

A Texas man claiming to have crashed his car while trying to avoid a turtle, a cat, a squirrel and an overhanging tree was arrested on a drunken driving charge on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old man from North Zulch, who was convicted of driving while intoxicated in Madison County in July 2009, was involved in a single-vehicle crash just after 1:00am police said.



A witness told police a vehicle passed him on the right by using the shoulder before striking a guardrail, exiting the highway and hitting a tree in a raised median inside a parking lot. When officers contacted the man, he was in the driver's seat, slurring his words and unaware of his location, police said.

The man told police the wreck occurred when he swerved to avoid the three animals and an overhanging tree, according to the report. He was charged with a second DWI, which is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail. The man was released from the Brazos County Jail on Wednesday after posting $7,500 bail.