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August 31, 2009

W’burg man receives sixth DUI charge

By Adam Sulfridge / Staff Writer

Early Thursday morning, Daniel Baird, 25, of Williamsburg, received his sixth driving under the influence charge since 2005.

While traveling on Ky. 92E, Baird was involved in a single-vehicle accident. On Baird’s arrest citation, Williamsburg Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson wrote, “The offender had slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet.”

According to the citation, Baird “stated that he had taken Suboxone and Xanax.”

Because of the extent of Baird’s injuries, Chief Wayne Bird said Baird was not taken into custody and, instead, received medical treatment. The pickup truck he was driving sustained front-end damage, and Chief Bird said Baird had a “severe laceration” on his face, along with other injuries.

Williamsburg police issued Baird a court date and will present the case to a Whitley County Grand Jury in September. In addition to DUI, he was also cited for not having his operator’s license in his possession and failing to maintain required insurance.

On June 19 of this year, Baird was charged with his fourth offense of DUI in Campbell County, Tenn. On his arrest citation, Baird was said to have “performed field sobriety tasks poorly.”

The citation also stated “an empty pill bottle labeled ‘Alprazolam’ was found in the defendant’s vehicle.” The citation continued, “The bottle was filled on the 10th of June for 30 pills.” Accordingly, the bottle was apparently empty within nine days of the prescription being filled. The drug is said to be a generic form of Xanax.

Court records indicate that on October 7, 2005, Baird was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and for leaving the scene of an accident, hit and run.

Records also show that Baird was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and second degree assault on Nov. 11, 2005. A Whitley County Grand Jury indicted him on the assault charge but took no action on the DUI charge.

On December 17, 2005, records indicate that Baird was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to maintain required insurance, and failing to wear his seatbelt.

Lastly, court records show that on January 8, 2006, he was charged for operating a vehicle while impaired, third or more offense in less than five years.

When asked to explain how Baird could receive a second and a third DUI shortly after his first DUI charge, court workers stated Baird’s license had not been suspended or revoked between the time of his first and subsequent charges.

The Williamsburg Police Department is responsible for four of Baird’s six DUI charges.

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