Monday, March 17, 2008

Repeat DUI Offender Crashes Into Two Vehicles

   A West Lawrence man faces numerous criminal charges after he allegedly passed out while driving under the influence late last week and crashed into two other motorists at an intersection.

   Reports show the crash occurred around 9:30 p.m. Friday at the West Gaines Street (Highway 64)/Mahr Avenue intersection. Nolan E. Howard, 49, of 14 Bryant Road, was the driver of a 2002 Chevrolet Impala that was allegedly traveling southbound in the northbound lane of Mahr Avenue at the time.

   After conducting an investigation at the crash site, Lawrenceburg Police Officers concluded that Howard had likely passed out behind the wheel “due to being under the influence,” failed to yield at the stop sign, ran through the intersection at a high rate of speed, then crashed into two vehicles. During the investigation officers reported finding a whiskey bottle inside Howard’s vehicle along with beer, a single Xanax bar, and ten Tramadol pills, with no prescriptions for the drugs.

   The brunt of the impact was born by the 2005 Chevrolet Impala driven by twenty-year-old Sara R. Boyd of 375 Shotwell Road. While driver Jerry D. Campbell, 52, of 205 West Point Road, reported that he had attempted to accelerate in order to avoid colliding with Howard’s vehicle, he was unable to move clear of the vehicle’s pathway.

   Both Boyd and Howard were transported by the Lawrence County Ambulance Service to Crockett Hospital for emergency treatment.

   As a result of the crash warrants were issued against Howard, charging him with the crimes of third offense DUI, driving on a revoked driver license, reckless driving, possession of legend drugs, simple possession of Schedule IV Xanax, and HMVO.

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