Trooper hit by car during arrest

While a state trooper was arresting another guy on a public intoxication charge early Friday, a suspected drunken driver (or maybe just a really bad driver?) in a Nissan hit his patrol car, sending it into the stopped car and the two men. Both the trooper and the man being arrested were sent to MUSC for treatment, and the driver of the Nissan got a DUI charge.

The Post and Courier has the story:

A Charleston County sheriff's report said that Stephen B. Spence, 37, of Summerville, was driving the Nissan Altima that hit the trooper's car. Spence was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence.

The 1:20 a.m. crash happened as Lance Cpl. Lee V. Gillespie was out of his car with the driver of a disabled sport utility vehicle. The blue lights were running on the trooper's car, said Sid Gaulden, director of the Department of Public Safety's Office of Executive Affairs.

The story goes on to talk about a huge increase during the past couple of years in DUI arrests, as well as tougher state laws on the way next year, which Gov. Mark Sanford has promoted.

From Live 5 News:

In bond court Friday afternoon, the judge asked Spence if he has issues with alcohol. His reply? "No ma'am."

Spence is charged with Driving Under The Influence First Offense. He was given a $997 ticket and ordered to appear in magistrate's court in September.

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