A cop was in court today after police investigated a traffic accident that occurred in Sandhill Village on December 13th which caused injuries to 38-year-old Collin Griffith. At the end of the investigation, the officers charged 32-year-old Corporal Arturo Leal with negligent harm, drove a motor vehicle without due care and attention, used an unlicensed motor vehicle, and drove motor vehicle while not being covered by third party risk insurance.
Leal, who was unrepresented in court, pled guilty to two of the four counts, namely using an unlicensed motor vehicle and driving without insurance. In total, he was fined $300 plus a $10 cost of court fee.
On December 13th, around 6:30 at night, police responded to miles 14 and 15 on the Phillip Goldson Highway and found that the victim, Griffith, was driving a blue Form Ranger pickup truck when a while Chevy Aveo traveling in the opposite direction drifted into the wrong lane and collided into his front wheel. When the officers spoke with Corporal Leal at the scene, they reported that they could smell alcohol on his breath, and his speech was slurred.
Leal is currently out on bail of $1,200 plus one surety of the same amount. He will be back in court on February 23, 2023.
