Hall County Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

Earlier this month, Officer Nicolas Blane Dixon of the Hall County Police department died in the line of duty. Dixon, 28, was one of several officers in pursuit of a stolen car, believed to be the work of a group of teenagers that are also suspected in a string of other car thefts. The chase ended in a wreck near the square in Gainesville.

Officers were chasing the four teens as they fled the scene on foot when the suspects began shooting. Shots were exchanged on both sides and one of the teenage suspects, Hector Garcia-Solis, was shot multiple times. He is expected to survive the injuries.

A few days later, the remaining suspects – Eric Velazquez, London Clements, Bryan Omar Cruz, all 17 years old, were in custody and charged with felony murder. Hector Garcia-Solis is currently facing charges of felony murder, driving on a suspended license, DUI, violating the opening container law, felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and striking a fixed object.

This was a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided. If the reported facts are correct, these young men are facing a lifetime of serious consequences. However, not everyone who is arrested is guilty of the crime they are accused of committing. If you or a loved one has been wrongly arrested or accused of a crime, contact our offices today.

Underage DUI in Hall County

As you probably know, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is .08. That is IF the driver is 21 or older. If the driver is underage, the limit is only .02, and the consequences of a conviction can be much more severe. For an underage driver, a DUI conviction comes with a strict driver's license suspension requirement and could affect all future jobs, your criminal record, and even your ability to get into undergraduate and graduate schools. Additionally, underage drinkers are facing the same if not greater penalties as of age drivers concerning jail time, probation, fines, rehabilitation classes, and community service.

The .02 limit was put in place to make room for any variables, such as chewing gum or mouth wash. However, because the legal limit is so low, many underage drivers are not even impaired when they receive a DUI. In fact, as a Hall County DUI Lawyer, I have seen cases where an underage individual was completely sober. In the worst circumstances, this could turn a tragic accident into a charge of Felony Serious Injury by Vehicle or Felony Vehicular Homicide.

Practice Note
It is hard to stay positive if you have been wrongly charged with a crime. But there is still hope. At the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson, the Hall County DUI Lawyers are on your side. If you or your underage child have been charged with a DUI, you need to act fast. Call our office today.