If you drive northwest of Chattanooga for about 180 miles, you will come to Clarksville, where an educator is struggling with a serious legal problem. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Stewart County director of schools has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Even worse, the Highway Patrol accuses Leta Jo Joiner of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle wreck and says that the incident led to the 57-year-old’s DUI arrest.
After she was taken into custody, the director of schools was booked into the county jail on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, as well as a charge of failure to exercise due care.
According to the local newspaper, police say that the educator was driving a GMC pick-up south on a local highway when she crossed the double yellow lines and struck the driver’s side of a Dodge pick-up truck headed in the opposite direction.
The Dodge left the road, but its driver was able to bring it safely to a halt in a Subway parking lot. Meanwhile, the educator kept driving, leaving the scene of the accident.
The Dodge driver had a bloody shirt and told police that he sustained injuries when the driver-side mirror was struck. However, he declined medical treatment.
A county sheriff’s deputy then drove to Joiner’s home, where she was placed under arrest. She is due to appear in court near the end of the month.
Several important parts of her life at in jeopardy now, including her driver’s license, career and freedom. Those in a situation similar to hers should decline to speak to a prosecutor until they have discussed their legal options with an effective lawyer experienced in DUI defense.
