DeKalb County drops DUI case against Dale Cardwell
Former investigative journalist and U.S. Senate candidate cleared in June 2010 case
Dale Cardwell, metro Atlanta's favorite (only?) investigative journalist turned U.S. Senate candidate turned TV show host, has been cleared of his DUI case.
Rodney Ho reports that the DeKalb County solicitor's office has decided to drop the case after Cardwell, the host of WAGA's "Trust Dale," agreed to a reduced charge of texting while driving. He'll also produce a public service announcement about the dangers of using your cell phone while behind the wheel.
In June 2010, Doraville police stopped Cardwell along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard after they spotted him sitting at a green light. According to news reports, Cardwell took a field sobriety test but was arrested after he refused a Breathalyzer. Cardwell, ever the gentleman, politely disagreed with the officers' decision and maintained he wasn't guilty of the charges.
In a lengthy statement to Ho, Cardwell offered more details about the evening he was arrested:
On the rainy evening of June 3rd, 2010, I approached a very dim green light while driving northbound on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Because I am colorblind, I perceived the light as being yellow, not green and came to a stop. As I slowed my vehicle, I began reading a text on my phone from my wife. I started to return it, when I saw a car pass me to my right. That’s when I realized I was indeed stopped and texting at a green light.
Cardwell's lawyer, who says he'd rounded up 10 witnesses who could testify that the TV host hadn't consumed excessive amounts of alcohol that night, also told Ho that DeKalb County's case was weakened by the fact that a videotape of the arrest wasn't available.