EMS driver charged with DUI after crashing into street sign in KY
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- EMS driver Steven Jones crashed county vehicle while allegedly impaired at 8 p.m.
- Breath test showed 0.14 BAC after Jones admitted consuming three large beers
- Jones faces first DUI charge with court arraignment scheduled for August 25
A man was charged with a DUI Wednesday evening after police say he crashed a Knox County EMS vehicle into a street sign while driving impaired, according to court documents.
The collision happened around 8 p.m. on Kentucky Route 1304 near Paynes Creek Road in Hinkle. Court documents say Steven Jones, 60, told a Kentucky State Police trooper he swerved to avoid a deer.
The trooper smelled alcohol coming from Jones, according to court documents. Jones told police he had two beers after he got off work around 1:30 p.m.
Jones was off duty when the collision occurred, Knox County EMS confirmed to the Herald-Leader.
After the collision, Jones turned around on Paynes Creek Road and reported it to Knox County dispatch, court documents say. The state police trooper investigated the crash, as it’s against Knox County Sheriff’s Office policy to investigate a collision involving a county-owned vehicle.
Jones performed field sobriety tests and showed signs of impairment. Court documents say he changed his previous statement, admitting to drinking three large beers, and was arrested.
Jones took a preliminary breath test at the Knox County Detention Center and registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14, nearly twice the legal limit to drive, according to court documents. Jones did not consent to a blood test.
It was Jones’ first time being charged with DUI, according to court records. He was released from custody on his own personal recognizance on Thursday.
Jones is scheduled to be arraigned in Knox District Court on Monday, Aug. 25.
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