MACFARLAN MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY AFTER INJURING TROOPER - Charged With DUI Causing Bodily Harm

(06/10/2010)
A Macfarlan man accused of hitting a Ritchie County state trooper while he was driving drunk, has pleaded not guilty to DUI causing bodily injury charges.

Jessie Parsons, 63, is accused of hitting Cpl. Andy Pringle while Pringle was involved in a traffic stop near Cisco in April.

Pringle (pictured left) was standing by a vehicle during a routine traffic stop, instructing a new officer regarding proper procedures, when the Parsons vehicle reportedly went out of control, striking Pringle.

Pringle was critically injured, and is still in a Charleston hospital recovering from his injuries. The other officer escaped injury.

Parsons is scheduled to go to trial in September.

RITCHIE TROOPER IN SERIOUS CONDITION AFTER BEING STRUCK BY DRUNKEN DRIVER