Mississippi lawmaker Jeff Hale arrested in Hernando on DUI, reckless driving charges
By Angela Williams
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DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi (WAPT) — A Mississippi lawmaker arrested over the weekend faces several charges, including DUI, which he said stemmed from rushing to assist his unconscious granddaughter.
State Rep. Jeff Hale, a Republican who has represented District 24 since 2016, was stopped Friday by Hernando police for speeding. He was taken into custody on suspicion of driving while under the influence. Hale was also charged with reckless driving and disorderly conduct/failure to comply, according to DeSoto County jail records.
“On the evening of my arrest, I received an emergency phone call from my son and daughter-in-law informing me that my granddaughter was unconscious and not breathing. They were en route to the hospital,” Hale said in a statement. “In that moment, I reacted as the first responder I had been for more than 20 years. While driving to the hospital, I was providing emergency instructions through my wife over the phone in an effort to help my granddaughter.”
Hale apologized to the Hernando Police Department and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office.
“That night, they encountered a terrified grandfather whose only concern was reaching the hospital as quickly as possible,” Hale said.
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