Erin Elizabeth Hoopes, 43, allegedly drank a mixture of toilet water and urine while in custody after a crash, forcing officers to restart the mandatory 20-minute observation required before a breath test. Despite the alleged attempt to interfere, her breath test recorded a BAC of 0.26 — well above Virginia's 0.08 limit. She faces second-offense DUI and hit-and-run charges; obstruction and driving-without-a-license counts were later dropped. Her attorney says she is remorseful and seeking help.
Virginia Woman Allegedly Drinks Toilet Water To Foil DUI Test; Breath Test Shows BAC 0.26
Image by Hakaboy8, CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
A bizarre incident in a Virginia jail reportedly unfolded after a crash when 43-year-old Erin Elizabeth Hoopes allegedly drank toilet water mixed with urine while in custody to interfere with a required breath test. The move forced officers to restart the mandatory 20-minute observation period, but Hoopes' subsequent test registered a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.26 — more than three times the legal limit in Virginia.
What Happened
The episode began after authorities say Hoopes drove her red Mini Cooper toward a tow truck and then struck a patrol vehicle. An officer identified as Layman reportedly tried to back his cruiser away but could not avoid the collision. A pursuit followed; Hoopes allegedly resisted being handcuffed before being taken to the Albemarle–Charlottesville Regional Jail.
While in custody, Hoopes informed officers she urgently needed to use the restroom. The arresting officer allowed her to go but kept the door partially open and explicitly warned her not to drink anything. According to the officer's report, and as captured by his body-worn camera, Hoopes reached into the toilet after using it, scooped up a mixture of water and urine, and drank it. Officers restarted the mandatory 20-minute observation period as required by Virginia breath-testing procedures.
Charges, Record and Statement
Court records show Hoopes faced second-offense DUI and hit-and-run charges. Initial counts of obstruction of justice and driving without a license were later dropped as the case progressed. Hoopes previously had a DUI conviction in Orange County in 2023. Her attorney, Scott Goodman, told reporters she was remorseful and is working to address her issues; he added that no one was injured in the collision.
Context and Aftermath
Virginia requires a 20-minute observation period before administering a breath test to ensure that eating, drinking or other actions do not skew results. In this case the alleged attempt to interfere only delayed the process and did not prevent the test from confirming a high level of intoxication. Officers documented the incident in their report and, per the report, did not dwell on the stunt beyond noting that the observation period had to begin again.
Note: The reporting is based on officer statements and court records. Charges and outcomes may change as the legal process continues.
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