One of our Traffic Safety Volunteers was struck just after midnight by a repeat DUI driver. Luckily, no serious injuries were sustained, and the 52-year-old suspect is behind bars for felony charges.

On September 21st at approximately 12:06 a.m. a Traffic Safety Volunteer was directing traffic in the area of Garrisonville Road and Keystone Drive as a paving vehicle was conducting their work. The Traffic Safety Volunteer had his marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle’s emergency lights on and he was wearing a reflective vest. Despite this, the suspect vehicle, traveling at a high rate of speed, drove through the intersection and struck the Traffic Safety Volunteer before continuing on.

The Traffic Safety Volunteer radioed to deputies that he was just struck and the vehicle continued Westbound on Garrisonville Road. Deputy C.C. Crossett quickly located the suspect vehicle, as it had crashed into an embankment near Algrace Boulevard. The driver, Daniel Schmitt, of Stafford, advised he crashed due to his speed, but was completely unaware he struck someone. Schmitt had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage radiating from his breath, and glassy eyes. He further advised he had seven drinks in Washington DC prior to driving. His license was also revoked due to a prior DUI incident and he had two prior DUI convictions within ten years.

Schmitt was charged with driving under the influence third offense in ten years with a blood alcohol content over .2, felony hit and run, driving after forfeiture of his license, driving revoked in a manner to endanger life or limb, and failure to yield to flashing lights. He was held without bond. The Traffic Safety Volunteer was transported to the hospital where, luckily, it was discovered no bones were broken and he was treated for his minor injuries.