http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010712309861
Published December 30, 2010 in the Rutland Herald
Heading wrong way on the interstate leads to DUI charge
By ERIC FRANCIS
CORRESPONDENT
HARTFORD — A Springfield man pleaded innocent to drunken driving second offense and to negligent operation after witnesses said he drove his pickup the wrong way down Interstate 89 before crashing in the median in October.
John Johnston Jr., 29, was released from the White River Junction criminal court earlier this month on pretrial conditions.
Among those conditions are a court order that he not purchase, possess or consume alcohol while his case is pending.
Hartford Police Officer Chris O’Keefe wrote in an affidavit filed with the court that he responded to Interstate 89 in the early morning hours of Oct. 28 after Hartford Dispatch received a call from a concerned motorist.
The caller reported that a pickup was traveling north in the southbound lane of the interstate.
As he looked for the vehicle, O’Keefe came upon Johnston’s red vehicle in the median at mile marker 3.
O’Keefe said he could tell from the fresh tire marks in the snow that it had slid there after heading the wrong direction on the highway.
O’Keefe said Johnston told him he was returning home to Springfield after having left the Elektra nightclub in Lebanon, N.H.
But Johnston’s truck was located well north of the turnoff to Interstate 91 that would have taken him back south towards Springfield at that point.
Johnson allegedly refused to perform any standard field sobriety exercises before taking a roadside breath test.
O’Keefe said the field sobriety test registered a 0.180 percent blood alcohol level, which is more than twice the legal limit for driving while intoxicated.
Johnston faces a minimum of 200 hours of community service and a maximum potential penalty of up to four years in prison and/or fines of up to $6,500 if he is convicted of both the charges now pending against him.
Heading wrong way on the interstate leads to DUI charge
By ERIC FRANCIS
CORRESPONDENT
HARTFORD — A Springfield man pleaded innocent to drunken driving second offense and to negligent operation after witnesses said he drove his pickup the wrong way down Interstate 89 before crashing in the median in October.
John Johnston Jr., 29, was released from the White River Junction criminal court earlier this month on pretrial conditions.
Among those conditions are a court order that he not purchase, possess or consume alcohol while his case is pending.
Hartford Police Officer Chris O’Keefe wrote in an affidavit filed with the court that he responded to Interstate 89 in the early morning hours of Oct. 28 after Hartford Dispatch received a call from a concerned motorist.
The caller reported that a pickup was traveling north in the southbound lane of the interstate.
As he looked for the vehicle, O’Keefe came upon Johnston’s red vehicle in the median at mile marker 3.
O’Keefe said he could tell from the fresh tire marks in the snow that it had slid there after heading the wrong direction on the highway.
O’Keefe said Johnston told him he was returning home to Springfield after having left the Elektra nightclub in Lebanon, N.H.
But Johnston’s truck was located well north of the turnoff to Interstate 91 that would have taken him back south towards Springfield at that point.
Johnson allegedly refused to perform any standard field sobriety exercises before taking a roadside breath test.
O’Keefe said the field sobriety test registered a 0.180 percent blood alcohol level, which is more than twice the legal limit for driving while intoxicated.
Johnston faces a minimum of 200 hours of community service and a maximum potential penalty of up to four years in prison and/or fines of up to $6,500 if he is convicted of both the charges now pending against him.
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