Nicholas Christian Armstrong of Lake Park, Florida is accused of driving while under the influence and causing a crash that severely injured a motorcyclist in Jupiter.
Armstrong, 29, faces charges for refusing to submit to a DUI test after a license suspension, violating driver-license restrictions, and DUI causing serious bodily harm. He is being held in Palm Beach County Jail on $10,000 bond. The press did not name an attorney for Armstrong.
According to the arrest report, the alleged car crash occurred at 7:30 p.m. on June 3 near Burt Reynolds Park on U.S. 1 in Jupiter. Armstrong reportedly ran a red light while driving a Mazda and caused a Nissan to swerve left to avoid a collision.
The maneuver caused motorcyclist Gregory A. Yates to crash into the Nissan. Yates, 57, was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered a fractured shoulder, broken jaw, and multiple lacerations. He was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center where he is reportedly listed in fair condition.
Police who arrived at the scene reported that Armstrong had bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. He refused to answer questions except to say he hadn’t been drinking and he wanted an attorney. Armstrong also reportedly refused a breath test, but was later forced to comply to a blood test because the crash involved severe injuries. The results of that test have not been made public.
Armstrong has reportedly had his driver’s license suspended before for refusing to submit to a DUI test. His current license restricts him to driving to and from work only and he was in violation of those restrictions at the time of the crash.
Records also show Armstrong was charged with second-degree murder in 2006 after the death of John Collins, 21, at a party in Jupiter. Armstrong, who was 19 at the time, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years. He was released from prison in 2012.
A DUI is a serious offense in Florida. State legislators have passed strict penalties for DUIs because of all the horrible deaths that have been caused by drunk driving. Local police departments are expected to have a zero-tolerance standard for DUI offenders, and as a result, Florida courts process an enormous amount of DUI cases every year.
The fines and penalties for DUI charges become more severe with each charge a driver receives. A second DUI conviction within five years of the first one can result in a mandatory jail sentence of up to one year, a mandatory fine, community service, and driver’s license suspension for up to a year. DUI causing serious bodily injury is a very severe charge with penalties that include up to 5 years in prison.
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If you have been involved in a DUI car crash, contact us to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of Florida’s most experienced DUI attorneys.
Source: 7.6.18 man_facing_DUI_charge_in_Jupiter_crash_served_time_for_manslaughter.pdf