Published: October 28, 2009 11:42 pm      

Ex-councilman charged in hit and run that left 3 injured

Brooks C. Jackson of Greenup could face additional counts

Ashland — A former Greenup City Council member has been charged in connection with a suspected drunken-driving accident Tuesday night near the entrance to Ashland Community and Technical College that injured three.

Brooks C. Jackson, 53, of the 800 block of Seaton Avenue, was arrested shortly after the collision at 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of 13th and Ramey streets.

Jackson was charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident and could face additional charges, according to the Ashland Police Department.

John Walters, 39, of South Point, and two passengers in his vehicle, Brittany Walters, 23, and Michael Kiser, 5, also of South Point, were taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital following the accident.

According to the APD, John Walters told officers he was traveling northbound on 13th Street when he saw a Cadillac Escalade stopped and waiting to turn into the wrong lane of traffic at 13th and Ramey.

Moments later, Walters said, the Escalade’s driver turned directly in front of his vehicle, a 1999 Saturn SL. He told police he attempted to swerve, but there was no time for him to do so.

When police arrived, they found the Escalade off the road in a grassy area with its airbags deployed and the Saturn surrounded by emergency workers trying to assist the people inside.

Officers also discovered the driver of the Escalade had fled the scene on foot. An “extremely intoxicated” male passenger still in the back seat of the Escalade identified Jackson as the driver of the vehicle, and a computer check revealed the Escalade was registered to Jackson.

Police found Jackson at a residence in the 1700 block of Cypress Court. He was “extremely intoxicated, had the keys to the Escalade in his front pants pocket and what appeared to be dust from the airbag on his shirt,” Officer Angel Opell wrote in her report.

When questioned about the collision, Jackson denied being involved in it or having any knowledge of it. After being told he was under arrest, he said he was going to kill himself and was taken to King’s Daughters Medical Center for evaluation, the report states.

At the hospital, Jackson “stated he drinks approximately 30 alcoholic beverages a day,” in addition to taking Percocet and Klonopin, Opell wrote.

“When Mr. Jackson realized he was being admitted and officers were leaving, he smiled broadly and waved, stating sarcastically, ‘Have a good night,’” the report states.

Another passenger in Jackson’s vehicle also fled the scene following the collision and hasn’t been found.

APD Chief Rob Ratliff said Wednesday the department would forward information about the incident to Boyd Commonwealth’s Attorney David Justice to present to a grand jury to determine if other charges are warranted.

Among other crimes, Jackson could be charged with assault for causing injury to the occupants of the Walters vehicle, Ratliff said.

John and Brittany Walters were listed in good condition Wednesday, Cabell Hunington spokesman Charles Shumaker said. He said he did not have information about Michael Kiser.

Jackson was elected to the Greenup City Council in 2004 and served a two-year term, during which he was a frequent and outspoken critic of then-Mayor Charles Veach. He was defeated in his bid for a second term.

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.