Gary gets 60 days for drunk-driving wreck

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GREENVILLE — A Greenville man learned his fate Friday in Darke County Common Pleas Court after pleading guilty to charges related to a drunk-driving accident.

Jordan Gary, 24, of Greenville, was sentenced to 60 days in jail for a 2015 drunk-driving accident north of Palestine, Ohio, that injured three people.

Originally charged with Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a third-degree felony, and two counts of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), first-degree misdemeanors, a plea agreement reached between his defense attorney, Kyle Lennen, and the Darke County Prosecutor’s Office resulted in an amended charge of Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a fourth-degree felony, and dismissal of the second DUI count.

The third-degree felony charge carried a mandatory prison term.

On October 24, 2015, Gary, in a 2005 Chevy 2500, was driving eastbound on Ross Road and stopped at the stop sign at Palestine-Union City Road. Gary then pulled right on to Palestine-Union City Road, lost control of his vehicle and went left of center, striking a 2002 Chevy, driven by Lisa Miller, of Palestine, which was northbound on Palestine-Union City Road.

Miller was severely injured and transported to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight. Her husband, Bradley Miller, and a 4-year-old boy were treated for injuries at Wayne HealthCare. All three recovered from their injuries.

Neither Gary nor his passenger, Jess Brubaker of New Madison, Ohio, received medical treatment.

Assistant Darke County Prosecutor Jesse Green asked the court to impose a sentence of 180 days in the Darke County Jail as well as fines, drug and alcohol counseling, and minimum six-month license suspension.

Lennen, Gary’s attorney, said his client has had “no issues during supervision” over the past 11 months.

“He’s a young man who’s made a life-altering, terrible mistake, and he’s acknowledged that from day one,” said Lennen.

Gary, speaking on his own behalf, addressed the court, as well as one of the victims present, saying, “I’m extremely sorry for what happened that day to you, your family, and the distress and fright I put into everybody.”

“Your honor, I will do whatever is asked of my, because it was my mistake,” he added.

In handing down the sentence, Darke County Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein countered the defense’s assertion that the incident was “a mistake.”

“It’s reckless conduct. It’s you letting your stupidity cause permanent injury to other people,” Hein said.

On the two counts, Gary will spend a total of 60 days in the Darke County Jail, with credit for two days served. Work release may be incorporated into his jail time. He must also pay fines totaling $1,050, pay court costs, will have his license suspended for two years, must serve 100 hours of community service, undergo drug and alcohol treatment, is banned from using drugs and alcohol, and will be on community control for five years. Failure to comply could mean prison for up to 15 months.

In Darke County Common Pleas Court Friday, Jordan Gary (standing) speaks to a victim of his drunk-driving accident. Gary was sentenced to 60 days in jail as well as five years of community control for his part in the October 24, 2015, collision which sent three to the hospital.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Jordan-Gary-0004-PRINT.jpgIn Darke County Common Pleas Court Friday, Jordan Gary (standing) speaks to a victim of his drunk-driving accident. Gary was sentenced to 60 days in jail as well as five years of community control for his part in the October 24, 2015, collision which sent three to the hospital. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate

By Erik Martin

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The writer may be reached at 937-569-4314. Join the conversation and get updates on Facebook search Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com

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