Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on May 22, 2018, Kevin John Butler was found guilty by a Bay County jury of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury and Reckless Driving Causing Serious Bodily Injury. The jury heard from the victim, Jacque Carte; Trooper Ronald Ward; Deputy Alex Young; Dr. Cyril Desilva; and U.S. Navy Master Chief Tyson Hoover. Mr. Carte was driving his Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on Thomas Drive on February 3, 2017 around 10:45 pm. The Defendant was driving his Jeep westbound and crossed in the oncoming lane and struck Mr. Carte. Mr. Carte suffered several injuries including a broken neck. The Defendant failed to stop and assist Mr. Carte and crossed back over the median and the westbound lanes and struck a mailbox and hit a covered porch/carport multiple times attempting to free his vehicle from the damage. Master Chief Hoover came out of his condominium and attempted to stop the Defendant but the Defendant, after freeing his vehicle, drove back across all four lanes of traffic and crashed in the south side shoulder of Thomas Drive. Master Chief Hoover ran over to Mr. Carte and rendered aide and then went to the Jeep and prevented the Defendant from leaving the scene. Trooper Ward, Deputy Young, and Master Chief Hoover all testified that the Defendant was heavily intoxicated by alcoholic beverages.
The jury deliberated approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Barbie Beasley and Mark Graham. Circuit Judge Michael C. Overstreet scheduled sentencing for July 9th, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.