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Driver heads to trial in hit-and-run case
Cody Gibson said seeing the sport utility vehicle was the last thing he remembered until he awakened in a medical helicopter that was taking him to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va.
Gibson, and two others who were injured when struck by the vehicle, Travis Farrar, 17, also of Nemacolin, and Alyssa Freed, 17, of Crucible, were among several witnesses to testify at a preliminary hearing for the driver of that Blazer, Stephen Todd Dodson, 43, of 168 Schroyers Lane, Carmichaels.
At the conclusion of the hearing, District Judge Glenn Bates held Dodson for court on charges of driving under the influence, accidents involving death or personal injury, accidents involving damage to an attended vehicle or property, careless driving and driving on roadways laned for traffic.
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Gibson said he suffered injuries to his neck and knee while Freed, who walked with a noticeable limp Wednesday, is undergoing physical therapy for tears to her knee ligaments. She also may require shoulder surgery .
Farrar suffered injuries to his knee, neck and wrist and said he still has pain.
Trooper Daniel Barnhart said he was on Route 21 traveling toward Waynesburg when he received a call shortly after 4 p.m. that there had been a hit-and-run in Carmichaels.
Barnhart said he turned around and headed toward Carmichaels and within minutes he saw the Blazer traveling in the opposite direction.
"I knew it must have been the vehicle in the accident because there was damage to the front end," Barnhart said.
The trooper said he began pursuing the vehicle but Dodson did not stop, he said. Finally, Barnhart pulled Dodson over and noticed the driver was climbing over the console to the passenger side.
When Dodson exited the vehicle on the passenger side, Barnhart said he "took him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.
"I noticed a strong odor of alcohol and his speech was slurred," Barnhart said. "He was confused and had trouble answering questions."
The trooper said he asked Dodson what happened to his vehicle and Dodson replied, "I hit someone."
District Attorney Marjorie Fox introduced a document that showed Dodson had a blood-alcohol content of .175 percent.
She also indicated her office may file additional charges, including aggravated assault while driving while intoxicated.
: 8/6/2009
Put his sorry @$$ in jail for a long time. How DARE he get behind the wheel of a car DRUNK?? And while he's in jail, he can get on his knees and thank God he did not KILL those kids. It could have been any of us in his way. NO mercy for drunk drivers!
