Musician Facing Multiple DUI and Vehicular Homicide Charges
The former bassist for the famous group Three Doors Down pled no contest recently through his lawyer before his trial was set to begin on a charge of second offense driving under the influence (DUI) charge for a substance other than alcohol in D’Iberville, Mississippi while under house arrest in Nashville for a separate DUI crime. Todd Harrell, 43, was found slumped over the wheel of a family member’s car in February last year and visibly impaired when he was charged with his second offense for DUI.
The judge in Mississippi sentenced Mr. Harrell to one year in the county jail, suspending six months with the condition he enroll in a drug and alcohol treatment facility and that he attend multiple offender programs. Harrell will have to serve six months in jail after he completes rehab, and he was fined $1,900 and ordered to perform community service. In addition, an ignition interlock system will be installed in all of his vehicles. According to the arrest report, the officer at the scene found multiple clues that suggested that Mr. Harrell was under the influence of prescription pills or other drugs. Mr. Harrell plans to appeal the plea.
He was arrested in D’Iberville for his first DUI case in July 2012 when Mr. Harrell told a police officer he had the prescription drugs Zanaflex, oxycodone, Percocet, Flexeril and Xanax in his system at the time he rear-ended a car. He appealed after a jury trial and was subsequently found guilty again in a bench trial. Currently, he is under house arrest in Nashville for being involved in a fatal crash in April 2013 that resulted in a charge in Tennessee for vehicular homicide by intoxication.
According to the report, the Nashville DUI accident took place on April 19, 2013. Mr. Harrell is accused of driving under the influence of prescription drugs and alcohol when he crashed into another car that killed another driver, Paul Howard Shoulders Jr., 47. No trial date has been set for the vehicular homicide case, but a hearing for a motion to suppress has been set. Mr. Harrell is likely to remain under house arrest in Nashville pending the trial in that case, but eventually he will have to return to serve the six month sentence for his second DUI charge in Mississippi.
Contact a Nashville DUI Accident Lawyer Today
Being injured by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs can often complicate an already complex situation. These drivers should be held accountable when their reckless and negligent choice results in another person’s serious injury or death, especially when the driver has multiple convictions for DUI. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC have years of experience representing the victims of DUI accident cases and can get you the compensation that you deserve. Call the office or contact us today for a free and confidential review of your case.