The head of a company that makes a downloadable application enabling users to pinpoint police drunken-driving checkpoints says his sales have doubled after efforts by four senators to restrict such apps.

Steve Croke, CEO of Fuzz Alert, also said he might remove the checkpoint locating capability to prove that the app is not designed to help people drive drunk.

“It’s like an electrical version of the warning signs you see for curves ahead and so forth,” said Croke, 42. “This is nothing but a warning device, to let people know that they potentially are in an area where you should watch your speed.”

A USA TODAY story in March noted the growing popularity of apps that allow drivers to pinpoint such police enforcement tools as red-light and speeding cameras, speed traps and sobriety checkpoints. Democratic Sens. Charles Schumer of New York, Harry Reid of Nevada, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Tom Udall of New Mexico asked smartphone makers Apple, Google and Research in Motion to quit selling apps that allow drivers to locate checkpoints, or to disable that function. Research in Motion, maker of the BlackBerry, agreed.
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An 18-year-old Jacksonville man has been arrested in the hit-and-run accident that killed a young woman riding a motorized wheelchair early Saturday.

John Doe was charged Tuesday evening with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of 23-year-old Monica M., according the Sheriff’s Office Facebook and jail website.

Less than a mile from her home, Monica was on Lambing Road about 1:30 a.m. when she was hit by a white truck that fled the scene after stopping and looking at the victim, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Her fiance, David, told Times-Union news partner First Coast News that she was not disabled and that the chair belonged to his mother. Monica was going to Domino’s to pick up a pizza about a mile away and didn’t want to walk.

She called shortly after she left and told him she was concerned that the battery was dying, David told the station. He went to pick Monica up and arrived right before the incident.

“Out of nowhere, a big Dodge white truck came out racing another four-wheeler,” David said.

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A rural Jacksonville man who said he left in a vehicle because he feared for his life after being beaten was found guilty of being under the influence when he drove away.

Associate Judge John Childress entered a written order Monday finding John Doe, 77, guilty of misdemeanor DUI and improper traffic lane use.

The verdicts followed a bench trial Thursday in Sangamon County.

Doe was placed on six months of court supervision and fined $995 for the DUI offense. Doe also was sentenced to 30 days of court supervision for the improper traffic lane use charge, which he will serve at the same time.

The case was assigned to Childress after Morgan County’s  judges recused themselves because Doe was an attorney in Jacksonville for many years.

For the bench trial, Assistant Morgan County State’s Attorney Robert Bonjean III submitted a stipulation of facts accusing Doe of driving under the influence on Oct. 15, 2008.
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Sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday arrested a man for DUI, not having a valid driver’s license and reckless driving. He told the officials that he drank rubbing alcohol.

While driving southbound in the 17000 block of Northeast Jacksonville Road, Deputy Darren Bruner noticed a white Lincoln pass a vehicle and drive into oncoming traffic, nearly hitting the deputy’s car head-on.

The deputy pursued the Lincoln, which stopped at Northeast 18 Avenue with smoke coming from under the hood.

Other deputies arrived on scene as the driver, John Doe, 32, got out of the car and began crying.

Medical personnel were called and he told them he drank rubbing alcohol. He was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center for treatment.

At the hospital, Doe also told a nurse he had consumed rubbing alcohol. He consented to a blood sample.

During their investigation, officials were told that Doe has problems with alcohol.

Also charged with DUI in or near Jacksonville? If so, feel free to contact a Jacksonville DUI attorney at our firm for a free legal consultation anytime.

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“Brian! Brian! Oh my God! Please, someone answer me! Gus, Carly, are you OK? Where’s the other car? Someone help us!”

Senior Holly F., daughter of Eric F. and Lisa K., played a hysterical teenager involved in an alcohol-related crash during a simulation Friday at Jacksonville High School.

The demonstration was designed to promote a safe and sober prom. Tonight is prom night.

In the script, four “already drunk” students leave the dance early to drink more alcohol, but strike another vehicle that has four people and a baby in a car seat. Two of the teens are injured, but passenger Sean H. in the other vehicle is killed and another injured.

Sherri M., with the help of Jacksonville Police Officer Dave Melbourne, coordinated the crash on the west side of Jacksonville High School because prom is statistically the most deadly time for teenagers on the road with the highest amount of alcohol-related fatalities.

“There are too many people — families and friends — affected by losing a loved one to a drunk driver,” Sheri said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the time, they think they’re invincible and we want to get the idea across to them that it can happen to you.”
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After her father passed out in the driver’s seat, a 5-year-old Jacksonville girl grabbed the wheel and tried to get off the road before careening across a highway.

The 2010 Camaro ran over a curb into a parking lot at Fort Caroline Road and University Boulevard North, but not before another driver dodged it as it cut across her traffic lane. No one was seriously injured.

“An angel was watching me and an angel was watching the little girl,” said Stephanie B., 19, who had to drive around the Camaro as it crossed the traffic lanes Monday.

The girl’s nose and lower lip were bleeding when police arrived.

“If I hadn’t been paying attention, I would have hit the side with the girl,” Stephanie B. said Tuesday.

After the slowly moving car jumped the curb, it plowed over landscape plants and crashed over a parking sign before coming to a halt.

Stephanie B. said the girl and her father were locked inside the car. She coaxed the youngster to open the door. The girl told Stephanie B. she was trying to steer off the road.

“She didn’t look that strong to be able to steer a car like that,” Stephanie B. said.

When police arrived following the 6:50 p.m. accident, John Doe, 40, was unresponsive and staring at the ceiling, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. He later told police he had taken Xanax and oxycodone earlier in the day, according to the report.

A family member came to take custody of the girl.

In addition to driving under the influence while accompanied by a minor, Doe was charged with driving under the influence and causing damage, careless driving, and driving without he or his daughter wearing a seat belt.

Doe was being held in lieu of $3,000 bail Tuesday night.

If you’ve also been charged with DUI in Jacksonville, it’s vital for your future that you promptly contact a defense for representation. For a free consultation with a Jacksonville DUI defense attorney at Musca Law, call 352-397-9915 now.

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The two candidates vying to be Jacksonville’s next mayor spent time Friday focused on the issue of crime.

Mike Hogan was out Friday afternoon meeting residents of Eureka Gardens, one of Jacksonville’s most dangerous apartment complexes in Jacksonville. City Council is set to vote to no longer subsidize residents to live there.

“What causes a problem like this is people losing hope,” Hogan said. “We want to show that we do care and, as a result, come out and talk to the neighborhood to find out from the people.”
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A Jacksonville police office and several children were injured in a multiple-vehicle crash.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that 45-year-old Terry Thiem was responding to a burglary call Wednesday morning when a Pontiac Grand Prix driven by 30-year-old Katrina B. turned into the patrol car. The police vehicle then slid into a Pontiac Vibe carrying five children.

FHP says Thiem was ejected from his vehicle, suffering critical injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt.

FHP says the Vibe’s driver, 34-year-old Danny J., suffered serious injuries. All five children in the vehicle reported minor injuries.

No injuries were reported to Katrina B. or the child in her car.

FHP says Thiem’s lights and sirens were on when the crash occurred. It wasn’t clear if anyone would be cited.

If you’ve been charged with a Jacksonville DUI offense, it’s important you hire a defense attorney ASAP. For a free legal consultation with a Jacksonville DUI defense attorney at Musca Law, call 904-236-4110 now.

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The sheriff’s office will be stopping vehicles for a safety and DUI inspection near their Southside substation this weekend.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the safety checkpoint will last for four hours in the 7000 block of Powers Avenue — between University and Old Kings — Friday night starting at 9:30.

JSO said there will also be signs placed near the checkpoint so drivers can choose an alternate route to avoid the delay.

Already accused of DUI in Jacksonville? If so, contact a Jacksonville DUI attorney at our firm today for a free and confidential consultation.

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Q. Are there any fees connected with reinstating my driver’s license after a DUI conviction?

A. Yes. The State requires three types of fees—an administrative fee, DUI school, a revocation reinstatement fee and license fees, such as knowledge tests, etc. If your driver’s license expired during the revocation period, you may have to pay other fees that are standard when applying for a driver’s license.

If you’ve been charged with DUI in Jacksonville or, perhaps, you’re interested in have a past conviction expunged, you would be well advised to contact a Jacksonville DUI lawyer at Musca Law ASAP. For a free legal consultation, call 904-236-4110 today.