The driver of a vehicle that struck and seriously injured a Stroud youth who was driving a motorcycle in July has waived his preliminary hearing.
Afelony charge was filed in Lincoln County District Court on July 19 against Hank William Hunziker, 51, of Drumright for driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .08 or more causing great bodily harm.
Hunziker also faces misdemeanor counts of transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage and following too closely.
Recently, appearing before Special Judge Emily Mueller, Hunziker waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Judge Mueller scheduled his arraignment for 9:30 a.m. Jan.10, 2023.
The 15-year-old Stroud youth, who has not been identified due to his age, was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa and reportedly suffered injuries to his spine and neck area.
Hunziker made his initial appearance before Special Judge Emily Mueller on Aug. 18 and she scheduled his pre-preliminary hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Oct.13.
Judge Mueller set the matterfor1:30p.m.onNov. 17 and on that date set the cause for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 15.
It was on Dec. 15 he waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
The DUI charge accuses Hunziker on July 11 this year of causing an accident at SH 99 and 850 Road in the city of Stroud in which T.W., 15, suffered a bilateral sacral fracture, a concussion with loss of consciousness of 30 minutes or less and compression facture of T4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 vertebra while Hunziker was driving/ operating a 2011 Infinity Gaw automobile under the influence of alcohol.
The unlawfully transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage charges Hunziker with operating a vehicle with an open can of beer.
Thesecondmisdemeanor charges him with following too closely the motorcycle operated by the 15-yearold youth, closer than was reasonable and prudent.
The chief reported the collision occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, July 11, at SH 99 and E 850 Road.
Gaylord said Officers Levi Bruder and Rickasha Gilley investigated the collision and they determined the motorcycle was northbound on SH 99 and making a right turn to go east on E 850 Road, when the 2011 Infiniti passenger car driven by Hunzicker, which also was northbound, struck the rear of the motorcycle causing the crash.
Sac and Fox Nation Officer Russell Sentel also assisted.