NEWS RELEASE                                             

For Immediate Release
July 31, 2006
Contact: Catherine Dokey
Community Relation Coordinator
  (850) 651-7448

Fort Walton Beach Man Wanted For Driving Under the Influence Causing Serious Bodily Injury

            The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has concluded the investigation into a traffic crash that occurred June 5, 2006, at approximately 8:57 PM on the Cinco Bayou Bridge on Eglin Parkway .  As of today, deputies obtained a felony arrest warrant for Arthur Lee Painter for the offense of Driving Under the Influence Causing Serious Bodily Injury.

            The investigation revealed Painter was the operator of a 1997 Harley Davidson motorcycle that struck and seriously injured Officer Bobby Hanson of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Posse.  Officer Hanson was directing traffic in support of the Billy Bowlegs Parade. Painter was also injured in the crash. His blood alcohol level was tested shortly after the crash and was 0.238g/210L. That is nearly three times the amount where a driver is presumed to be too impaired to operate a motor vehicle. Painter has left his last known address, 226 N. Eglin Parkway , Unit C-1 in Fort Walton Beach and his current whereabouts are unknown.  Officer Hanson is still recovering from his injuries.   

            Anyone with information about this case or Arthur Lee Painter’s location is asked to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office at (850) 651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863-TIPS.

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