TV News anchor charged with DUI

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that a news anchor, who now works in Chattanooga, was arrested and charged with DUI in Knoxville after crashing his car. Fortunately no one was injured. As with all cases, he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

It is always sad to see a case in which someone who ought to know better is charged with this crime. Yet we see this kind of story all the time. This is a news anchor. We have seen stories like this that involve attorneys, teachers, Judges, doctors and even prosecutors. Does anyone doubt that intoxicants effect judgment? The bottom line is that everyone going out and consuming alcohol needs to make a plan for getting home while sober and then stick to it.

You can read the News Sentinel coverage at:

Former Knoxville TV anchor faces DUI charge » Knoxville News Sentinel

Bicyclist struck by alleged impaired driver

In Chattanooga 24 year old Timothy Rudolph was riding his bicycle on Dodds Avenue when he was reportedly struck by a 30 year old driver of a SUV, who left the scene and was found soon after the collision. Mr. Rudolf suffered life threatening injuries. Keep him in your thoughts and take some time to reflect on our obligations as drivers to care for others on the road.

The story from the CHATTANOOGAN follows:

4/27/2011 - Bicyclist In Critical Condition After He Is Hit By Drunk Driver - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com

DUI Conviction affirmed. Criminal DRL reversed.

In Sevier County a Defendant prior to trial pled guilty to driving on a revoked license. A jury found him guilty of DUI 3rd offense and a violation of the mandatory insurance (financial responsibility) law.

No proof was presented that he was driving on a revoked license due to a DUI conviction. Since he had already pled to the DUI, the reason for the revoked driving charge would have necessarily

informed the jury, the defendant had a prior DUI. That would have caused a reversal for the DUI.

So, prosecutors need to read this case and beware of the tactic of the pre-trial plea to DRL.

Read it at:

http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/tcca/PDF/112/State%20of%20Tennessee%20v%20Ralph%20Wilhoite.pdf

Intoxicant includes alcohol!

The Court of Criminal appeals in a newly released decision affirmed a conviction based on a DUI in which the intoxicant was alcohol. The defense argued the term intoxicant did not include alcohol. Read about it at:

http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/TCCA/PDF/112/State%20of%20Tennessee%20v%20Jessica%20Lee%20Clark.pdf

Traffic stop affirmed 55-8-123

The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed a Hamilton County case. Officer David Allen pulled over the defendant using 55-8-123, which requires that a driver remain in his/her lane of traffic.

We continually emphasize in training that when an officer sees a driver cross a double yellow line, he has probable cause to stop the vehicle for a violation of 55-8-123.

The Court discussed Binnette and discussed reasonable suspicion for DUI, but found that officer Allen had reasonable suspicion for crossing the lane line.

Read the case at:

http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/TCCA/PDF/112/State%20vs%20Carlie%20D%20Schoenthal.pdf

20 year old dies when seat belt was not used.

Tragically Kelton Holloway, 20, of Crossville died after crashing into a car from behind. His car rotated and flipped. Since, he was not wearing a seat belt, his family will miss him and suffer for years. Seat belts save lives, but they don't do any good if they are not used.
Please keep Kelton Holloway and his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
The story from the Cookeville Herald Citizen:
http://www.herald-citizen.com/view/full_story/12928992/article-Crossville-man-killed-in-White-County-crash?instance=latest_articles

Truth stranger than fiction?

A headline in the Clarksville paper today:

"Woman smashes gold car into 'We Buy Gold' store"

No story link. It was just an ironic accident and I hope everyone recovers their damges and gets on with wonderful lives.