Repeat Drunk Driver Convicted at Trial

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions against a drunk driver who caused a crash in Farragut.  Ted Dustin Hamilton, 44, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence Second Offense, Reckless Endangerment, Driving on a Revoked License, and Violation of the Implied Consent Law.  Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on January 6, 2023, where Hamilton faces a minimum of forty-five days in custody and a license revocation of two years.

In a one-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Robert DeBusk and Greg Eshbaugh presented testimony that on October 6, 2020, at around 3:45 P.M., Trooper Marcus Pyle with the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to a traffic crash at the roundabout on Concord Road and Northshore Drive.  Upon arrival, Trooper Pyle learned that Hamilton had sideswiped another vehicle in the roundabout.  Hamilton had bloodshot, watery eyes and had an odor of alcohol on his breath.  Hamilton failed field sobriety tests and refused to submit to a blood draw to determine the amount of alcohol in his system.  Despite his refusal, the jury found him to be impaired and convicted him.  After the jury returned this verdict, they could then hear testimony that Hamilton had previously been convicted of DUI in Loudon County in 2018, making this a DUI Second Offense.

“We will continue to aggressively prosecute DUI cases because impaired driving can have such a devastating effect,” said DA Charme Allen. “You cannot avoid accountability by refusing to submit to a blood draw.”

Reckless Endangerment is a Class E felony carrying a punishment from one to two years.  Driving Under the Influence Second Offense is a Class A Misdemeanor that carries a minimum of forty-five days in jail.  At sentencing, prosecutors will seek additional jail time because Hamilton has two additional convictions for DUI offenses that were outside the ten-year window allowed to enhance this offense.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Brittany Wilhelmson aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.