Repeat Impaired Driver Convicted after Motorcycle Crash

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions today against a five-time impaired driver. Neal Scott Daniels, 57, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence, Simple Possession, Driving on Revoked License, and Violation of the Financial Responsibility Law. Judge Kyle Hixson set the case for sentencing on September 3.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Greg Eshbaugh and Oscar Butler explained to the jury that on May 14, 2017, Officer Donnie Shipley with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motorcycle wreck on East Bull Run Valley. Daniels had been operating his motorcycle when he lost control and crashed, causing injuries to himself requiring immediate medical attention. Ofc. Shipley could note both an odor of alcohol and marijuana coming from Daniels. Ofc. Shipley also discovered a bag of marijuana in Daniels’ pocket. Due to his injuries, Daniels could not perform field sobriety tests, but Ofc. Shipley obtained a search warrant to draw Daniels’ blood. That blood was analyzed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and showed that Daniels’ blood alcohol content was still above the legal limit seven hours after the crash. Daniels’ driver’s license had already been suspended because of his four previous DUI convictions.

At sentencing, Daniels faces a sentence of one to two years with a minimum of one hundred and fifty days in jail. Daniels’ license will also be revoked for eight years. In addition to finding Daniels guilty, the jury also assessed the maximum fine of $15,000.

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.