Bettendorf man gets probation after chase: ‘I’m deeply ashamed for what I have done.’
After a judge read a letter of support from a Quad Cities recovery program and heard a heartfelt apology, a 57-year-old Bettendorf man was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation after he led a police chase earlier this year.
James Bennett earlier pleaded guilty to charges of eluding – speed over 25 mph over the limit, and operating while under the influence – first offense, according to court records.
Bennett’s attorney, Troy Smith, said he sees few clients such as Bennett, who has earned a bachelor’s degree.
“Your honor, I want to apologize for my actions,” Bennett told the judge. “I’m deeply ashamed for what I have done.”
Two representatives of One Eighty were in the courtroom, where a letter from Todd Rothenberger, Men’s Home supervisor for the One Eighty program, was submitted.
Bennett, Rothenberger says in the letter, has been in the 14-month faith-based program since July 31, and “has diligently addressed his heavy struggles and participates in all that our program has to offer, including attending all the classes and volunteering when needed.
“I have worked with James since he came to the One Eighty, and I have seen definitive improvements in his attitude and response to his life’s tough roads,” he continues. “James recently has been hired by One Eighty and works on the Develop Team helping the other residents as they go through the program.”
“We are happy to have James here as a resident and on staff. James is working hard at changing his life and wants to give back.”
Judge Tamra Roberts ordered Bennett to two years of probation. Other charges against Bennett were dismissed.
Read the letter below.
A chase and five crime scenes
In July, Bennett was involved with crashes with a box-office post, a fire hydrant, a telephone pole and another car, leaving five crash scenes along the way, court records show.
Bennett was driving a 2014 Dodge Ram when witnesses in the area of Lundy Lane and Devils Glen Road in Bettendorf saw him strike a post, a fire hydrant, a phone pole, an unoccupied vehicle, and drive off-road at a high rate of speed, arrest affidavits show. These witnesses called into dispatch and gave the description of the truck and license plate.
The truck was located driving the wrong-way on 21st Street and had heavy damage to the front end, and eluded police, affidavits show, until Bennett crashed at the intersection of Old Freeport Court and Lincoln Road.
Bennett drove at least 50 mph in a 25 mph residential zone during the chase, according to affidavits. Once officers encountered Bennett, he “had an odor of ingested alcohol, slurred and mumbled speech, and bloodshot watery eyes,” affidavits say.
In affidavits, police say Bennett admitted to drinking alcohol and had several empty alcoholic containers in his truck. Bennett “refused questioning and was unable to maintain his balance without assistance from officers,” and “provided an evidentiary breath sample of .217 blood alcohol content.”
Throughout the United States, the legal limit is .08 percent. Bennett, police say in affidavits, “admitted he was a danger to the public”
Police located five separate accident scenes.
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