STUART — Nine years ago, a drunk Donald Flewellen drove a stolen van across the center line, causing a collision that killed two people and left illegal Guatemalan immigrant Luis Jimenez permanently brain damaged.

Less than four months after his December release from prison for two counts of DUI manslaughter, authorities say Flewellen, 52, was behind the wheel of a borrowed car and caused a hit-and-run crash with property damage in Fort Pierce.

Already charged with two counts of violating his supervised release, court papers show when Flewellen returns to court Aug. 17, he’ll face additional charges of leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and driving on a revoked driver’s license related to an April 5 traffic collision.
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VERO BEACH — Indian River County Administrator Joe Baird’s first public appearance in his DUI case came Wednesday in a court hearing that was quickly postponed at the request of defense and prosecution attorneys.

The attorneys said they needed more time to prepare their cases.

But Indian River County Judge David Morgan told the attorneys he intends to set the case for trial the week of Aug. 24.

Baird has pled not guilty to DUI and speeding charges and is asking for a jury trial.

Outside the courtroom, Baird, 52, declined comment on the advice of his attorney. He was accompanied by his girlfriend, Karen Deigl, president of the Indian River Senior Resource Association, who was there for moral support and to drive him to the hearing, Baird said.

The state revoked Baird’s driving license because he refused to take a Breathalyzer test at the time of his arrest on the night of May 16.

Baird’s case next comes up for court review on Aug. 19 when Morgan is scheduled to take up what he didn’t hear Wednesday: Defense attorney Bobby Guttridge’s request that charges against Baird be dismissed because he said police didn’t have justifiable reasons for stopping him.

Police said he was speeding and made a wide turn, according to court records.

Also, Guttridge wants Morgan to suppress Baird’s statement to police that he was going to the Long Branch Saloon, a bar in Vero Beach, when he was stopped by police.

Assistant State Attorney David Dodd said he may have some additional witnesses. Before trial, attorneys are allowed to interview witnesses who may be called to testify at trial.

By Elliott Jones, TCPalm.com

VERO BEACH — Court hearings on County Administrator Joe Baird’s traffic cases have moved to after 1:30 p.m. today at the Indian River County Courthouse on State Road 60, according to the office of the judge handling the case.

Hearings were to be held this morning on motions filed by Baird’s attorney, Bobby Guttridge. But County Judge David Morgan has moved them to this afternoon when he will review the status of a number of cases, his office staff said.

Baird, 52, was arrested May 16 on charges of DUI and speeding. That was in connection with late-evening traffic stop in Vero Beach.
TCPalm.com