The drinking part is a separate issue, since it sounds they all drink in the family.
It's the drinking/driving issue that is more of a concern to me.

If he or anyone was that drunk and walking the street carrying a gun what would you do?
Just leave him alone or call police?
A car can be as deadly as a gun right?
That's how I would look at the situation if it happened again.

Innocent people could get hit & killed if he tried to drive in the condition he was in.
He might have just gotten home from somewhere or was planning to go somewhere but passed out instead.

That's exactly what I think happened.
So do I tell the wife or do I just chalk it up to a happening that I witnessed and if it happens again, I'll ring the bell and say "uh, your dad is asleep and the car is on".

thanks
Mel

I think Melody that I wouldn't bother with the mentioning of it this time. She obviously knows. The next time though that you happen to find him in that position and not getting an answer on first tries I would quietly open the door, roll down the window if it is hot and turn off the car and ring the bell and let them know or if it is late put his keys in their mailbox. He may have to beat on his door or ring the bell a few times to get in but that is better than him coming to and driving off. Then the next morning just go over ring the bell and very calmly and keeping it brief say I put your husband's keys in the mailbox because I was concerned for his safety and the safety of others. Make his safety first so they will take less offense even if that is not really how we feel. Called soothing egos. Don't stick around, I am sure they will be embarrassed and do not want to confide and will appreciate your discretion.

Wow, Christina.

I never would have thought of doing what you wrote.

How kind of you to explain this whole Soothing Egos to me.

I just passed their house and the wife and son were on the porch. We chatted briefly. I mentioned nothing. I haven't seen the guy for a few days.

So it's their private matter and I would never intrude.

But thanks so much.

If it DOES happen again, I shall do exactly what you wrote.

Thanks so much for the lesson.

I learn stuff every day on these boards.

Stay well.

Mel

I do believe that legally drunk, behind the wheel, car running or not is grounds for arrest.

I guess if you KNOW the person and want to help, if it was me I'd have pushed him over to passenger's side and got in and driven him home THEN leave the keys with his wife.

But that's just me. I always do the wrong thing and get crucified later for it.

Can't drive him home because he was parked right in front of his own house.

Can't drive him home BECAUSE I DON'T DRIVE!!!

And I completely understand you when you say "I always do the wrong thing and get crucifed later for it".

These kinds of scenarios always end up with hurt feelings, people being embarrassed and later on, they can't look you in the face and you wind up losing friendships. How sad when this happens.

But that's life.

We just have to look at each situation and try and do the right thing.

If this happens again, I know what to do.

Let's just hope it doesn't happen again.

Sigh!!!!

Yeah you said he was right by his house, otherwise if it was someone you didn't know then I'd of had you call the police. I'd still have taken the keys though while he was snoozing just to keep him from driving off, then called the police. Wouldn't stand next to the car though and announce hey I got your keys if he wakes up. Nothing worse than an angry drunk. Just stand back and enjoy the perplexed search as he wakes and attempts to figure out where his keys are as the police are on their way. Then when they arrive I would give the keys to them and skedaddle. Gee is that how you spell that lol.

A nights entertainment though it is terribly sad.