Raleigh, N.C. — A Durham man faces multiple charges in connection with a drunken-driving accident that sent a Wake County sheriff's deputy's personal vehicle off the highway into a tree.
The accident happened Thursday shortly before 7 a.m. on Interstate 40 near Aviation Parkway when a truck driven by William Woodrow Griffin hit Deputy Paul Quinn from behind and then left the scene.
"He was like a pinball in a machine," said Jerry Dockery, an off-duty truck driver from Raleigh, who said he saw Griffin's truck. "He was bouncing off trees as he was plowing down through there."
Griffin, whose blood alcohol concentration was 0.13 more than two hours after the collision, is charged with driving while impaired, hit-and-run and driving with a revoked license. He was in the Wake County Jail Thursday afternoon under a $5,000 secured bond.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol said Dockery was one of two witnesses who followed Griffin and got him to pull over.
"My heart went out for the guy who was pushed off the road," Dockery said.
His intent was to get the truck's license plate number, but Dockery said Griffin pulled over when he saw him flashing his lights.
Dockery said he was very concerned that the driver made no attempt to stop until two miles after the crash.
"The driver of the pickup truck – he never even slowed down," Dockery said. "It was senseless to me, especially after hitting someone, knocking them off the road into the embankment and continuing as if it never happened."
According to arrest records, Griffin had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, red glassy eyes and slurred speech.
Court records show Griffin, 36, of 107 Muscadine Lane, has been convicted 14 times of driving with a revoked license and 17 times of failing to appear in court.
Quinn was treated for minor injuries at WakeMed Cary and released.
Authorities said both Griffin and Quinn were on their way to work at the time of the accident.
Man Charged With DWI After Hitting Wake Deputy
- Reporter: Amanda Lamb
- Photographer: Chad Flowers
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
161 Comments
-
- Feds to review N.C. probation problems
Posted 36 minutes ago |
- Obama: I don't intend to lose this election
Updated at 5:36 a.m. |
- N.C. could be hit with electric rate increase
Updated 12 minutes ago - Attorney: Detectives building case around Jason Young
Updated at 12:11 a.m. |
- Military judge to hear motions in 'fragging' case
Updated 43 minutes ago
- Feds to review N.C. probation problems
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Beijing Olympics - Day 7
Aug. 15, 2008 - Pet Photos | August 11 - August 17, 2008
Aug. 15, 2008 - Pet Photos | August 18 - August 24, 2008
Updated Aug. 19 4:47 p.m.
- Beijing Olympics - Day 7
-
10 questions with Cary EMS Chief Steve CohenSteve Cohen answers your questions about saving lives and what to do in emergency situations.
-
10 questions with Veterinarian Dr. Page WagesDr. Wages answers your questions about food, health exams and saying goodbye to your pet.
-
10 questions with Duke Football Coach David CutcliffeCoach Cutcliffe answers your questions about game strategy, the Manning brothers and boisterous fans.
-
Michael Phelps at the 2008 OlympicsThe images of swimmer Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Images of swimmer Michael Phelps, who won eight gold…
-
The week in photosThe week's top stories in news and sports through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
The week in entertainment photosA look at the top entertainment stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
Images of the 2008 Beijing OlympicsKeep up with your favorite athletes and moments of the 29th Olympiad through the lens of those that are right alongside the action as it happens.
-
Campaign Trail Photos of the WeekView photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.



STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS



Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.