Mugshot of Nicholas Lockhart. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. CROIX — A man is facing a DUI charge following an auto collision on the Queen Mary Highway.
On April 12, police officers responding to reports of a collision arrived near Pam’s Restaurant where they observed two vehicles — a Dodge Ram and a Ford pickup truck — which had impacted each other. Both vehicles had sustained extensive damage, and both drivers were on the scene.
The driver of the Dodge told police that he was traveling east on the Queen Mary Highway in the left lane when he saw the headlights of a vehicle coming towards him, in his lane. To avoid a head-on collision, he says he veered to the left, but the Ford still collided with his vehicle. He told police that the collision could have killed him and his family as the other driver appeared to be drunk. Investigations later found that the Ford had been traveling west when it veered into the eastbound lane and collided with the Dodge.
Nicholas Lockhart, who was driving the Ford pickup, said that he was extremely tired after working long hours building his home, and blamed the accident on him falling asleep at the wheel. He said he just heard a loud bang and felt the impact to his truck. However, while speaking to Lockhart, officers smelled the unmistakable odor of alcohol coming from his person. He was staggering and unable to keep his balance, officers say, his eyes were red and watery and he was speaking with slurred speech. When asked if he had been drinking, Lockhart admitted to having “two beers” with the men who were helping him to build. Documents before the court allege however that Lockhart was incoherent, that he kept repeating himself, and was holding onto the police vehicle. He was also not listening to any of the instructions from the police.
After observing all of this, an officer informed Lockhart that he would be subjected to the three standardized field sobriety tests, which he failed. His blood alcohol content as measured by chemical means was reportedly just over twice the legal limit of 0.08%. Lockhart was thereafter arrested and charged with driving under the influence, driving with a blood alcohol content over .15, and negligent driving.
Investigations revealed that the two vehicles involved in the accident were going in opposite directions. Lockhart’s vehicle veered into the eastbound lane while traveling west. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage.
Lockhart’s advice of rights hearing was scheduled for Friday April 14, 2023. Court records available online indicate that he was granted pre-trial release following the posting of a $100 cash bond.
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