On Jan. 27, 2012 a truck driver was found guilty of a hit-and-run accident stemming from a 2010 incident involving the driver's 18-wheeler and a sheriff's deputy. In addition to the hit-and-run, the prosecution had also sought a DUI for the driver based on the large amount of prescription medication found in his bloodstream. The prescription for the medication was for him and he had no alcohol in his system. However, the state felt that the levels of the prescribed drug were above that of someone using them therapeutically - hence the DUI charge.

The trial lasted three days and the jury deliberated for 8 hours, with the jury beginning deliberations on Thursday and not reaching a verdict until the next day. The state felt that the length of deliberation was because there was a split on whether to convict the driver or to acquit. This is a good example of how an experienced DUI defense attorney can help those facing DUI charges and a driver's license suspension.

The accident occurred in October of 2010 when a sheriff's deputy had pulled over another vehicle northbound on I-85. As the deputy was traveling back to his car, the 18-wheeler left its lane and smashed into both the deputy's vehicle and the other car. The impact knocked the deputy to the road's shoulder. The 18-wheeler continued to travel north. A short time later a witness reported the driver had pulled into a nearby truck stop. Law enforcement found the driver only minutes after the accident and no one was seriously injured.

Without a DUI conviction, the truck driver faces two years' worth of license probation stemming from the hit-and-run and several thousands of dollars in fines. Had he been convicted, the fines would have increased and he would have possibly faced other penalties such as a drivers license suspension. He did lose his commercial driver's license.

Source: The Newman Times-Herald, "Truck driver found guilty in I-85 hit-and-run," John Winters