Man suspected of hitting Lodi fire captain makes first court appearance

More than two weeks after an alleged drunken driver was arrested on suspicion of running over a Lodi fire captain, the man finally made his first court appearance Monday.

Kevin Patrick White, 42, of Lodi, pleaded not guilty to felony charges of driving under the influence resulting in injury and a misdemeanor charge of possessing dangerous drugs without a prescription.

Kevin White

White has had three drunken driving convictions in the past 10 years, and he was driving at more than twice the legal limit when he struck the firefighter, Deputy District Attorney Janet Williams said Monday as she argued against White's release from jail.

Judge Bob McNatt, citing the serious allegations, set bail at $100,000.

The fire captain, 28-year-old Michael Gold, is still recovering after the Nov. 3 crash in front of the Downtown Lodi fire station.

Gold and other firefighters were returning from a medical call at 9:22 p.m. and were pulling into the Church Street entrance, just south of Elm Street.

He saw an object in the road, possibly a portable radio from the fire truck, and ran to get it, according to Lodi police. Southbound traffic stopped but White's Toyota pick-up truck struck Gold, police said.

Gold was hospitalized for several days with a concussion and a broken clavicle and has not yet returned to work.

Michael Gold

White, meanwhile, was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail, where he has been held without appearing in court. Jail officials said White had not been cleared to leave the jail's medical ward.

White was convicted of driving under the influence in May 2000 in Riverside County. In November 2001, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence after a Lodi traffic stop, and three months later he pleaded guilty to another DUI charge in Tuolumne County, according to court records.

"The defendant is a habitual drunk driver," Williams told the judge. "In this case, he ran over a pedestrian."

White's blood-alcohol content level was 0.18 percent, more than the California's driving limit of 0.08, and he also had numerous prescription medications on him, Williams said. In court documents, prosecutors listed the drugs as "neurotin, hydrocodone, clonazepam, seizone and mirtazapine."

McNatt appointed Deputy Public Defender Eric Taylor, who entered "not guilty" pleas on White's behalf.

White will return to court Nov. 26, and a preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 3.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

and to john wrote on Nov 29, 2007 9:04 AM:

" no he has authority to stop traffic is what he did your to bright are you "

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to jim wrote on Nov 29, 2007 9:03 AM:

" i believe this captain is smart and dedicated and deserved the poistion is what you were saying right "

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Bee wrote on Nov 27, 2007 10:22 AM:

" Michael Gold is a civil servant and should have everyone's undying support. Regardless of what he was doing in the middle of the street, he should be respected. As for being a captain, he has been with the department for six years and I am sure he is compensated accordingly for providing you safety. "

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Non-Drinker wrote on Nov 26, 2007 9:25 PM:

" I wondor how many times he had "Hit and Run" when he was drunk? And how many times he had "Drink and Drive" but did not get caught? He does not evaluate someone's life. Why waste money on trial? Just put him in jail and done with it. "

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To Jim wrote on Nov 26, 2007 8:16 PM:

" they pay well and when they retire with 90-99% of salary at 50years old they keep hiring new ones and promote them so the guy above him gets a higher pay there on a pay ladder of 5% "

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Lodi Living wrote on Nov 26, 2007 5:08 PM:

" Don't understand how much longer we have to waite for the Drunks are off our roads and the uninsuraned drivers are off the streets.How many other people need to be hurt. "

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Don wrote on Nov 26, 2007 1:08 PM:

" When the giulty been impose to be release, who is to blame? The law and the lawyers and judges are poor me babies. Any drunkers caught in action should be in jail without the court hearing for two years without parol. Time is now to get tough. "

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John wrote on Nov 23, 2007 11:50 AM:

" So not to be a hater or anything. Wasn't this guy technically partially at fault for jay-walking? Especially at night. "

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don't trust wrote on Nov 21, 2007 7:34 PM:

" "The defendant is a habitual drunk driver," Williams told the judge. "In this case, he ran over a pedestrian." This may be true, however I don't trust anything that Williams says. It would be more believable had it been said by someone who was honest. "

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Jim wrote on Nov 20, 2007 10:54 PM:

" 28 year old Fire Captain,that is young, big turnover in Lodi! must pay pennies "

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Leonard wrote on Nov 20, 2007 11:22 AM:

" Third time offender? Lock him up and throw away the key. If breaking a mans shoulder isn't a violent offense, I don't know what is. "

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too leniant! wrote on Nov 20, 2007 10:22 AM:

" This makes me sick ! This clown has had 3 drunk driving convictions already !!!! Get rid of him! "

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Reality wrote on Nov 20, 2007 7:19 AM:

" Appears this character is a repeat DUI offender. Why waste the time with a trial. Send him to jail and revoke his license to drive forever. Unless the punishment for these repeat offenders is severe nothing will stop them from getting behind the wheel and killing some innocent person. "

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Man suspected of hitting Lodi fire captain makes first court appearance

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