Charges: DUI, Leaving the Scene of an Accident With Property Damage
A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to an accident reported by a witness. When the officer arrived, the witness informed him of the direction that the driver walked and gave a physical description. The witness stated that the vehicle looked to be traveling between 90-100 mph, that the vehicle did not follow a curve in the road but instead went straight off the road, running over some city signs. The witness saw the driver walk away from the scene.
The officer located the driver and asked him to ride back to the scene of the crash. While talking to the driver, the officer noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and noted that the driver was unsteady on his feet. The officer informed the driver that he had completed the crash investigation and was beginning a DUI investigation. The driver was read his Miranda rights and thereafter stated that he was hit by another vehicle, causing him to run off the roadway. The driver said he left the scene and was walking home. The driver’s eyes were glassy, watery, and bloodshot and he had slurred speech. The officer conducted field sobriety exercises and the driver performed poorly.
