HENRICO COUNTY, Va (WTVR) -- This evening (Friday) at 7 p.m. I’m going to jail - Henrico Jail East - until Monday.
You may recall that I was arrested in mid-June for riding my motorcycle while under the influence on I-64 in New Kent County at 2:30 a.m. The county officer who followed me from the gas station there pulled me over for "weaving in my lane."
I blew a .1 on the Breathalyzer, just over the legal limit.
The hearing was Tuesday. We had requested the dash cam footage showing the officer following me for five miles. My riding was well within my lane and my lawyer argued that it was suitable for road conditions and the reason for the stop was questionable.
The prosecution believed the officer had reasonable suspicion, but offered a deal which I chose to take.
I was wrong for being over the limit and endangering others. Even on a motorcycle someone other than me could’ve been hurt. It happens all too often.
But as many of you know, I'm also very big on Constitutional protections - 4th amendment in this case.
The charge was reduced to reckless driving. But it was no sweetheart deal:
$720 in fines and court costs. ASAP. Eight days in jail.
100 hours of community service. Six months suspended license, although I can drive to work and community service.
I was suspended at work as soon as I was arrested, but was back on the air the next week.
I haven’t had a drink since that night, which was the NBA finals.
There have been big spells of my life where I haven't used alcohol at all, and those have coincided with course changes in my world: bricklayer to reporter, becoming a parent x 4.
Reporter to columnist.
Columnist to TV reporter.
There's another big change coming after spending the past two and a half years raising two newborn grandkids, dealing with two troubled children, a house, cars, bills and struggling to keep up.
For this I am grateful for my June stop.
I think, like so many people, I've been feeling trapped in my world. So much heavy stuff to carry, so many day- to-day demands that can keep you from looking up.
I’m not sure how this change, this new growth will look, but it’s coming. I can feel it like a strong wind.
I will be listening to that wind behind bars.
Those who are so inclined, say a prayer for me.
And those of you who feel trapped in your world and aren't sure what your orbit is all about, know that you're not alone and that clear eyes will help guide your ship to a better place.
No crashing, friends.
