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Man walks 25 miles to court for DUI sentencing

A Pennsylvania man says he had one alternative when his brother didn't show up to give him a ride to court for sentencing for drunken-driving: start walking. From 25 miles away. In 90-plus-degree heat.
Hearing Hike
Stephen Shoemaker, 33, of Shippensburg, Pa., walked 25 miles to court for his DUI sentencing after his brother didn't show up to give him a ride. AP
/ Source: The Associated Press

A Pennsylvania man says he had one alternative when his brother didn't show up to give him a ride to court: start walking. Stephen Shoemaker of Shippensburg was scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for sentencing on a 2007 drunken-driving conviction.

Shoemaker, 33, doesn't have a car or driver's license. So he started walking to the Cumberland County Courthouse in Carlisle at dawn. He kept walking for about 25 miles in 90-plus-degree heat.

Shoemaker arrived about 3:30 p.m., after a detour to Carlisle Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for dehydration. Judge Edward Guido had issued an arrest warrant when Shoemaker failed to appear. Instead he agreed to defer sentencing until July. Guido says he hesitated only because "that means he'll have to walk back to Shippensburg."

Deputy Public Defender Anthony Adams volunteered to give Shoemaker a ride home.