The East Carolina Development Company executive director who took over for former state Rep. Stephen LaRoque is himself in trouble.
Jerry Hannah, initially hired by LaRoque to help run the loan-making nonprofit, faces two driving while intoxicated charges in Lenoir County District Court in July.
Hannah received a DWI citation in March 2009 in Cumberland County. Once the case was disposed in November 2011, the state mandated Hannah not exceed a .04 blood alcohol content while behind the wheel.
On Feb. 4, shortly after 6 p.m., State Trooper J.D. Noble pulled over Hannah on U.S. 70 near the intersection with U.S. 258. According to the affidavit filed by Noble, Hannah was driving in the middle of the roadway, smelled of alcohol, had red, glassy eyes and stumbled while attempting to exit his 2008 Toyota.
Hannah was documented as having a 0.15 BAC at the time.
For that incident, Hannah’s charged with driving while impaired, violating his license restrictions and is up for a 30-day suspended license.
Nearly four months later, on May 28, State Trooper W.K. Bennett wrote that Hannah was driving a 1993 Ford pickup truck near the intersection of Grainger Station Road and Sharon Church Road when he drove into an oncoming lane, struck a mailbox, ran into a ditch and overturned the vehicle.
The affidavit said Hannah emitted a “strong odor” of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and had red, glassy eyes.
For the May incident, he faces the same charges as with the February arrest, but with an indefinite instead of a 30-day civil revocation of his license.
Tested nearly two hours after his arrest, Hannah provided a 0.16 BAC rating.
A message left for Allen Foster II, who is representing Hannah, was not returned as of press time.
Hannah’s due in district court for the February charges on July 8, and July 30 for the May charges. On July 30, he also faces traffic infractions of texting or emailing while driving and driving left of center.
Wes Wolfe can be reached at 2525-559-1075 and Wes.Wolfe@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.