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A Martin County deputy was reportedly pinned in his truck Tuesday night in an off-duty car accident. North Carolina troopers believe that the deputy lost control of his truck in Williamston around 6:00 Tuesday evening. The truck slammed into a tree, causing the man serious injuries. Emergency responders airlifted the man from the scene, and he spent hours in the operating room undergoing surgery.

Sources indicate that the man is in stable condition after the surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. Now that that ordeal is settling down, the deputy is facing a new ordeal-a legal ordeal in criminal court. Authorities accuse the 24-year-old man of driving while impaired.

North Carolina troopers say that the deputy, who was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle at the time of the accident is charged with DWI. The Sherriff’s Department reportedly has already placed the man on administrative leave pending further investigation into the allegations.

The DWI case could provide even more potential consequences, exposing the deputy to possible fines, jail time and issues related to his privilege to drive.

News reports do not indicate what evidence troopers are relying upon in their belief that the deputy was impaired at the time of the 6:00 p.m. car accident Tuesday.

People from any walk of life can be pulled into the criminal justice system on allegations of DWI. Moreover, the state laws are broad.

While most Greenville, Pitt County and Martin County area residents may be aware that the legal limit to drive is set at 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration, the laws allow prosecutors to seek DWI charges based upon other evidence of impairment, and a reading lower than 0.08 percent BAC does not necessarily mean a person is immune from charges. Similarly, a prescription medication may be enough for law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue a North Carolina DWI charge in some instances.

Source: WNCT, “Update: Martin Co. Deputy Charged With DWI,” Updated July 11, 2012

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An off-duty Fayetteville police officer was arrested at his home earlier this month on suspicion of driving while impaired and other offenses. Police claim the 25-year-old man was involved in a single car accident that apparently disabled his vehicle. Police believe the off-duty cop crashed his personal vehicle into a guardrail while driving drunk.

Law enforcement say the off-duty officer called a tow truck and had the vehicle removed and that was not reported to police. Police claim the man then called a friend for a ride home.

Apparently the friend notified police of the alleged DWI offense. Law enforcement says they went to the off-duty officer’s home and took the man into custody. The man was taken to the Cumberland County Detention Center, where police say the man provided an alcohol test showing a blood alcohol level of 0.12 percent. North Carolina law presumes impairment for adult drivers who test at 0.08 percent or greater.

The man is accused of DWI, misdemeanor hit-and-run and reckless driving based upon the allegations. After his arrest, the man was released on a promise to appear in court. News reports do not indicate whether a court date has yet been scheduled.

News reports do not indicate whether or not the officer was alone at home before the DWI arrest. It is also unclear who the person was who notified police of the alleged incident.

The Fayetteville Police Department placed the accused man on unpaid administrative leave due to the incident. The accused apparently has been with the department for a year-and-a-half.

Source: WRAL, “Fayetteville police officer charged with DWI,” Jan. 6, 2012

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