Skip Navigation

RFH 2010, News

Hamilton Cop Pleads Guilty to Driving While Ability Impaired

Tue, Aug 03, 2010

The village police officer and Colgate Campus Safety officer who was arrested following an accident on Hamilton Road in April finally had his day in court.

Dan Furner, 38, of Brookfield, plead guilty to driving while ability impaired -- a violation -- and failure to keep right in Town of Hamilton Court Monday.

Furner's case had been delayed twice before as he sought an attorney to represent him. He was represented Monday by William Getman.

Madison County District Attorney William Gabor said Furner will pay a $500 fine and a $280 state surcharge and have his license suspended for 90 days. Furner will also be referred to an alcohol evaluation and possible counseling. He will also pay $50 for the charge of failure to keep right and an $25 surcharge.

Gabor said Furner received no special treatment because of his position as a police officer.

"This was a very common disposition for a first offense," said Gabor.

Furner failed to negotiate a curve on Hamilton Road April 30 and his Dodge pickup truck left the road and hit a tree. He left the scene of the accident.

Hamilton Police, Colgate Campus Safety, the Hamilton Fire Department, SOMAC and the state police responded.

After being found, Furner was transported to Hamilton Community Memorial Hospital. He was treated for injuries.

About four hours after thew accident, blood was drawn for a blood alcohol content (BAC) test. The first test showed Furner had a BAC of .15 and a second showed a BAC of .13.

Since 2005 the BAC to be considered legally drunk is .08.

Furner is scheduled to testify in court in conjunction wit ha DWI arrest he made while on active duty with the village police.

Please login to post your comments.