Monthly Archives: July 2012

Raleigh, NC: Driver charged with DWI in fatal Raleigh wreck | NBC17.com

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David Cocker Jr.

David Coker, Jr.

Raleigh police say one person was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Saturday.

Police say it happened about 4:40 a.m. at T.W. Alexander Drive and Glenwood Avenue.

One person was dead at the scene, according to police, and two others were taken to Duke University Hospital in Durham for treatment.

According to a wreck report, David Coker, Jr. was traveling on T.W. Alexander and ran a red light and hit a car traveling on Glenwood Ave. Coker has been charged with DWI.

Police identified the victim as Laura Galdamez, 32, of Durham. She was a passenger in the vehicle that was hit by Coker.

via Driver charged with DWI in fatal Raleigh wreck | NBC17.com.

Mukilteo, WA: Council Chairman Sullivan arrested for suspected DUI | HeraldNet.com

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Brian Sullivan

Brian Sullivan

Snohomish County Council Chairman Brian Sullivan was arrested for investigation of drunken driving Thursday evening after he blew more than twice the legal limit in an alcohol breath test.

Sullivan, 54, is in his second term on the County Council and also has served as Mukilteo’s mayor and in the Legislature.

When reached Friday afternoon, the popular Democrat would say little about the arrest. “I’m just sorry,” he said, adding that he didn’t think the incident would affect his County Council duties.

via Council Chairman Sullivan arrested for suspected DUI | HeraldNet.com – Local news.

Waxahachie, TX: Another north Texas police officer killed by suspected drunk driver / nbcdfw.com

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Police Officer Killed in Overnight Crash

Officer Josh Williams

For the second time in eight days a North Texas police officer is dead after a crash with an alleged drunken driver, police say.

Waxahachie police officer Josh Williams was responding to a disturbance call at a Taco Bell when he collided with a car driven by 24-year-old Dylyn Richards, who was speeding, driving without headlights and going in the wrong direction on US 77, police said.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash and they confirm that alcohol appears to be a factor.

read more here > http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Another-North-Texas-Officer-Killed-by-Alleged-Drunk-Driver-164128996.html

Montgomery Co., TX: Man gets 16 years in prison for fatal New Caney DWI crash | khou.com Houston

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A man was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison in connection with a fatal DWI crash in New Caney last year.

Clay Walker Sievertson, 37, reached a plea deal with prosecutors on charges of intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony.

Prosecutors said Sievertson was headed the wrong way in the southbound lanes of Loop 494 around 4:30 a.m. on January 20, 2011, when he struck a vehicle driven by Alicia Sanchez.

Sanchez – who had her daughter, Daysy Silvestre, in the car with her – was headed to work at the time.

Investigators said Sievertson’s pickup drove over Sanchez’s vehicle, instantly killing her and seriously injuring her daughter.

Sievertson got out of his truck and fled the scene on foot, without offering any aid to the victims.

via Man gets 16 years in prison for fatal New Caney DWI crash | khou.com Houston.

Sullivan Co., IN: Intoxicated man dies in crash shortly after being reported as “all over the roadway” | WBIW.com

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A Terre Haute man who tested more than twice the legal limit for alcohol died in a two-vehicle crash in Sullivan County Thursday.

According to police, 57-year-old Gene Horsley Jr. was traveling west on County Road 950 North when he drove into the path of a northbound vehicle pulling a box trailer.

The driver of the northbound vehicle veered to the left to avoid a collision, but crashed into Horsley Jr.’s driver’s side door. The resulting impact killed Horsley Jr.

Shortly before the accident, officials said they received a 911 call regarding an erratic driver “all over the roadway” and “driving in the median.” The caller’s description matched Horsley Jr.’s car.

Police also said Horsley Jr. was not wearing a seat belt.

No one in the northbound vehicle was hurt.

via WBIW.com – 1340 AM, Bedford, Indiana.

UPDATED w/Arraignment story || Fresno, CA: 7 year-old bicyclist dead. High school basketball coach faces DUI, manslaughter charges. | cbs47.tv

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Loren LeBeau (fresnobee.com)

Witnesses in tears, the driver taken away in handcuffs, it was a chilling scene Wednesday night when a suspected drunk driver ran into a family of 3 bicyclists and then reportedly left the scene.

“There were flashing lights warning of pedestrians crossing,” Tony Bennink, Fresno Police said.

The victim was 7-year-old Donovan Maldonado. He died from his injuries Thursday  morning.

“As the suspect turned north the victim came loose from under the car, and that’s where we found him,” Bennink said.

The suspect is 41-year-old Loren LeBeau.

He was booked into the Fresno County Jail on $256,000 bail, but Thursday morning he posted bail and quickly left in a cab.

“He was taken into custody for drunk driving cause we had reasonable suspicion of odor of alcohol,” said Bennink.

LeBeau has been a basketball coach at Central High School since 2007.

” He was a very intense individual. He cared a lot about kids,” said Mike Berg, Central Unified School Superintendent.

“The family of this child has to be thought about and Mr. LeBeau’s family has to be thought about. They are all suffering,” said Berg.

The 7 year old boy was biking along this crosswalk with his family when police say LeBeau drove right into them, dragging the little boy several yards down Shepard Avenue.

“He struck both bicycles, and the 18 month old baby was with on the bike on the back of her father,” Bennink said.

LeBeau faces multiple charges:

Felony drunk driving, felony hit and run, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and 3 counts of bodily injury.

Police say LeBeau left the accident scene but later returned and admitted to running over the family.

“We found the car unattended and he later approached us by foot and admitted to driving the car,” Bennink said.

via High school basketball coach faces DUI, manslaughter charges – KGPE CBS47 Fresno – News, Sports & Weather for the Central Valley.

The high school basketball coach who police say was driving drunk and slammed into a Fresno family on July 25, killing a young boy, made his first court appearance Thursday morning.

Loren LeBeau, 42, walked into the Fresno County courthouse wearing an alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet.

LeBeau was supposed to be arraigned Thursday, but his hearing was postponed because his attorney disagrees with how some of the charges were filed.

Attorney Jess Hammerschmidt says one of the charges states LeBeau used his car as a weapon. He argues it was an accident.

Here is a list of the four felony charges filed against LeBeau Wednesday afternoon:

– Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
– DUI causing injury
– Driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol causing injury
– Leaving the scene of an accident – death or permanent serious injury

Seven-year-old Donovan Maldonado’s family was there for LeBeau’s court appearance, but LeBeau’s attorney focused on his client’s suffering through all of this.

read more here > http://www.kmph.com/story/19238963/deadly-fresno-crash-accused-drunk-driver-in-court

McAllen, TX: Granjeño city commissioner arrested on a DWI charge | ValleyCentral.com

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A Granjeño city commissioner is facing a DWI charge after a police officer allegedly saw him going the wrong way down a one-way street in downtown McAllen.

McAllen police arrested 26-year-old Robert Segura on a DWI charge near the 17th Street Nightclub District around 1:40 a.m. Thursday.

Investigators told Action 4 News that Segura was driving his car the wrong way down the 300 block of South 16th Street.

An officer pulled Segura over and allegedly noticed alcohol on his breath.

Segura admitted that he “had been drinking” but refused to take a breathalyzer test.

The 26-year-old city commissioner appeared before a McAllen municipal judge where he was issued a $1,000 dollar bond.

Segura, who works as a teacher for the Valley View Independent School District, was first elected to office in May 2010.

Granjeño voters re-elected him in May 2012.

via Granjeño city commissioner arrested on a DWI charge : News : ValleyCentral.com.

Leland, NC: Following 8th DWI conviction, man sentenced to minimum of 9 year | wect.com

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A man was convicted of habitual impaired driving Wednesday morning and sentenced as a habitual felon to serve a nine to 11 and-a-half-year prison sentence, according to a statement from D. Christian Thomas, Assistant District Attorney.

Officials say Wilbur Brown of Leland was stopped by a police officer in November for suspicion of driving while impaired. Brown failed a sobriety test and had a blood alcohol concentration of .10.

Brown was then arrested, and had been released from the NC Department of Corrections eight months before. Prior to his November arrest, he had seven misdemeanor DWI convictions and convictions for felony drug and property crimes.

via Following 8th DWI conviction, man sentenced to minimum of 9 year – WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC.

Crookston, MN: Man sentenced After DWI Crash Killed Nurse | piercecountyherald.com

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A 21-year-old Grand Forks man gave a tear-filled apology before being sentenced to four years in prison — following a deadly drunk driving crash in Polk County last February.

Daniel Johnson’s blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when his pickup was slammed into by a vehicle driven by 39-year old Darcey Jablonski. A combination of heavy fog and alcohol were factors in the crash on Highway 2, just west of Fisher in the eastbound lane. The State Patrol says Johnson was parked on the highway, facing the wrong direction with no lights on, when the victim slammed into him head-on at nearly full speed. Jablonski’s boyfriend, a paramedic, was one of the first to arrive at the horrific scene on Highway-2 near Fisher.

via Minnesota News Briefs: Man Sentenced After DWI Crash Killed Nurse | Pierce County Herald | Ellsworth, Wisconsin.

Santa Paula, CA: Officer killed in DUI crash died of blunt-force neck injuries | vcstar.com

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Undated photo of Santa Paula police Officer Kimberley Hemminger.

Kimberley Hemminger

Santa Paula, CA: A 33-year-old Santa Paula police officer killed Sunday in an off-duty DUI crash died of blunt-force neck injuries, officials said Tuesday.

Kimberley Hemminger’s death was ruled accidental, said Craig Stevens, a senior deputy Ventura County medical examiner.

Her friend, Christopher Blankenship, a Santa Paula volunteer reserve police officer, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter after the crash on a private paved road near Santa Paula.

 

 

Booking photo of Christopher Blankenship

Christopher Blankenship

Blankenship was booked into Ventura County jail and released from jail Monday morning on $50,000 bail, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reported. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

The crash was reported about 9:15 p.m. on South Mountain Lookout Road near Coyote Canyon Road, the California Highway Patrol said. Blankenship apparently couldn’t negotiate a right-hand curve and lost control of a 1984 Jeep Wrangler east on South Mountain Lookout Road, officials said.

The vehicle spun out and rolled over. Hemminger, of Oxnard, was partially ejected and pinned under the Jeep. She was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP reported.

via Santa Paula officer killed in DUI crash died of blunt-force neck injuries » Ventura County Star.

Moundsville, WV: Woman Killed In ATV Crash | theintelligencer.net

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An ATV accident that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old Cameron woman remains under investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.

The accident occurred Saturday evening on Valley Run near the community of Adaline.

According to Chief Deputy Sheriff Kevin Cecil, 911 received a call at 6:30 p.m. involving an accident on an ATV on which a male and a female were riding.

Cecil described the ATV as being large, and although it was equipped with seat belts, the riders were not wearing their seat belts. Cecil said the ATV rolled over several times, going over an embankment for some 30 feet.

The female victim, Kayla Breann Lilley of Cameron, was ejected and pinned under the vehicle.

Cecil said the other person on the ATV, Casey Hill, 23, of Blair’s Ridge, was not at the scene when officers arrived. Cecil said West Virginia State trooper took Hill into custody later in the evening in Cameron. Hill was charged with DUI causing death.

via Woman Killed In ATV Crash – News, Sports, Jobs – The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register.

Oswego Co., NY: Elementary school principal facing DWI charges | centralny.ynn.com

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sm_modalAn elementary school principal is facing DWI charges after getting into a car crash this weekend.

Sheriff’s Deputies say Michael McAuliff, 51, of Camillus, was driving on State Route 49 in West Monroe around 1 a.m. Saturday when he rear-ended a trailer being towed by a pickup truck.

The 19-year-old driver of the truck was taken to Upstate University Hospital while McAuliff was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Oswego County Sheriff’s Deputies confirm that McAuliff is an employee of Parish Elementary School and the school’s website lists him as the principal. He has been ticketed with driving while intoxicated and following too close. He’s scheduled to appear in Town of West Monroe Court on August 13th.

via Elementary school principal facing DWI charges – YNN, Your News Now.

Pawling, NY: Judge Robert Apple arrested for 2nd DWI

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A Pawling judge was arrested Friday and charged with felony driving while intoxicated — his second DWI charge in three years, according to the Carmel Police Department.

An officer stopped 56-year-old Robert Apple on Route 6 a few minutes after 4 p.m. after fielding complaints about an erratic driver. Carmel police charged Apple with driving while intoxicated.

The charge is a felony because Apple has a previous DWI conviction from 2009.

“The allegations are false,” Apple said when reached Tuesday.

He declined to elaborate, saying he did not want to comment further without consulting with his attorney, Howard Pearle of Mahopac.

Earlier this year, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct censured Apple, who has been a judge and attorney in private practice for more than two decades. The commission determined Apple didn’t seek favorable treatment and acknowledged he attended a counseling program.

Apple “violated his ethical obligation to respect and comply with the law and endangered public safety by operating a motor vehicle after consuming a significant quantity of alcohol,” the commission said in a statement issued after the February 2012 censure.

Apple is scheduled to return to Town of Carmel court on Aug 6, according to the court clerk.

via Pawling Judge Robert Apple arrested for 2nd DWI.

Harford Co., MD: 98 Rock DJ’s car crash results in another DUI charge | baltimoresun.com

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A popular Baltimore radio personality faces DUI charges after a three-car crash in Harford County on Sunday sent five people to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Stephen G. Smith, 48, of the 1600 block Junius Court in Bel Air — known as Stash on radio station 98 Rock — was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent driving, and other traffic offenses, police said.

In an e-mail Tuesday, Smith — who has several other traffic cases pending — declined a request for comment. “I’m going through enough right now,” he said. “I can’t.”

But he later confirmed that he was arrested Sunday, and he addressed a few points that he said were erroneously reported by some media outlets.

Police said Smith was driving a Nissan Quest north on Route 24 at an apparent high rate of speed, when he struck the rear of a Hyundai stopped at the signal near the intersection with Interstate 95. The impact pushed that vehicle into an SUV, also stopped at the light. Smith drove about 300 feet north of the collision scene before stopping his vehicle, police said.

read more here > 98 Rock DJ’s car crash resulted from speed and driving under the influence – baltimoresun.com.

Suffield Woman Sentenced in Fatal Drunk Driving Accident – The Granbys, CT Patch

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A Suffield woman was sentenced to a year and a month in jail because of her responsibility for a fatal car accident on August 2010.

Amanda Conway was driving the car that spun out of control and collided with a tractor-trailer near I-91 in Enfield, causing the death of Conway’s passenger Alexa Crosby and injuries to passenger Ann Bauchiero. Conway will serve 13 months of a 5-year prison sentence before that sentence is suspended, followed by five years of probation, according to a clerk at the Enfield Superior Court.

read more here > Suffield Woman Sentenced in Fatal Drunk Driving Accident – The Granbys, CT Patch.