Cop Fired For Driving 143 MPH During Drunken Joyride Ordered Reinstated

DENVER - A police officer caught driving while impaired and speeding at more than double the limit could keep his job.

A highly controversial opinon is coming from a Civil Service Commission panel in the case of Officer Derrick Saunders.

Saunders was fired for what he did almost two years ago. He was off duty and driving his friend's sports car in Arapahoe County.

A Colorado State Patrol officer clocked Saunders going 143 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone - 88 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Saunders' blood alcohol level was 0.089, which was enough to classify Saunders as driving while ability impaired (D.W.A.I.)

Since he was hired by the police force in 2007, other felonious allegations against Saunders include brandishing a gun to scare McDonald’s employees into working faster.

ABC 7 reports that in 2009, Saunders, then assigned to securing Denver International Airport, grew impatient while waiting for his order at the fast food restaurant. He allegedly pulled a gun on employees when they failed to prepare his food with the utmost haste.

A jury acquitted Saunders of the gun-brandishing allegations in April 2010 — one month before his undisputed high-speed joyride.