Posted on Mon, Oct. 31, 2005
Man who hit sheriff charged with DWI
Driver accused after crash throws Hamrick 20 feet off motorcycle
KYTJA WEIR
Staff Writer
A driver who has pleaded guilty twice to DWI slammed into a motorcycle ridden by the Cleveland County sheriff over the weekend, throwing the sheriff some 20 feet in the air.
And this time, the N.C. Highway Patrol says, the man who caused the crash had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.
Sheriff Raymond Hamrick, 50, remained hospitalized Sunday night, a day after the crash just blocks from his home. He is expected to recover.
Danny Kaye Chambers, 51, meanwhile, was charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving and driving without an operator's license, Trooper J.H. Smart said.
Chambers registered a blood alcohol level of 0.19, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol. The legal limit for drivers is 0.08.
Both men had been heading home about 6:30 p.m., Smart said, traveling west on N.C. 150 about 45 miles west of Charlotte when the crash occurred. It was still light, he said.
Hamrick, who has served as Cleveland County's sheriff since 2002, was ahead of Chambers when he stopped to make a left turn onto River Road. He sat perched on his personal 2002 Honda motorcycle as he waited for traffic to clear less than two miles from Shelby and close to home.
Chambers cruised over a hill behind him in a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle, Smart said, but didn't stop before reaching the intersection.
He struck the back of the sheriff's bike, Smart said. Hamrick flew into the roadway.
The sheriff, who was wearing a helmet, was conscious after the wreck, Smart said. He did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
But he remained in the intensive care unit of the Cleveland Regional Medical Center early Sunday morning, Smart said.
Neither the Sheriff's Office, nor hospital staff would comment on his condition Sunday evening.
Chambers, meanwhile, was not injured, Smart said. The Cleveland County man was released on $500 unsecured bond, Smart said. Chambers could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Past Record
Danny Kaye Chambers, 51, had pleaded guilty twice to driving while impaired, N.C. court records show.
• Aug. 26, 2001: Chambers was arrested and charged with driving while impaired. He pleaded guilty. He was fined $200 and sentenced to 90 days in jail plus two years probation.
• Feb. 22, 1988: He was charged with driving while impaired. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years probation. He also was fined $100.
Topic: Drunk Driver hits SHERIFF on bike/NC (Read 2045 times)