Prosecutors have dropped all charges against a trucker who was suspected of driving while intoxicated after an investigation revealed that his erratic driving was actually the result of a medical emergency.
On March 15th, truck driver Barry Demings allegedly led the police on a 25-mile chase down Interstate 270 in Columbus Ohio. Police described Demings’ driving as erratic, even on blown tires and at speeds of 25 miles per hour.
During the chase, Demings was described as “looking forward and seldom at pursuing officers.” Once Demings was stopped, police said he was “sweating profusely, had urinated himself,” and “continued to nod off.”
Following the incident, police charged Demings with Operating a Vehicle Impaired, failure to drive in marked lanes, and failure to comply with an officer.
On Friday, July 28th, all charges brought against Demings were dismissed after a prosecutor decided that “the evidence showed that the defendant was suffering from a medical condition that caused his erratic driving” said Law Director Tracy Bradford.
“Because of that medical condition, we could not prove that he had the requisite mental intent to support a conviction,” Bradford added.
Demings is 63-years-old and lives in Michigan.
A dash cam video of the ‘chase’ can be seen here.