Polk County 09-CT-4128, 09-CT-4129
The Florida Highway Patrol was dispatched for a traffic crash that occurred in the parking lot of a commercial business in Lakeland. The trooper made contact with the Defendant and began a criminal investigation for Driving Under the Influence with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident. The Defendant holds a CDL license and was driving a commercial vehicle at the time of the accident. The Defendant, who was on prescribed medications, performed roadside field sobriety exercises and was ultimately arrested for 2 counts of driving under the influence with property damage and leaving the scene of an accident. David Haenel set the case for trial and the state attorney dropped one count of DUI and the leaving the scene, and amended the other driving under the influence charge to a reckless driving. The Defendant received a withhold of adjudication, no conviction and no driver’s license suspension. An amazing result considering he is a commercial driver and a DUI conviction would destroy his livelihood.
