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Blood-alcohol level high in deputy's crash
Deputy Stegner was killed in the accident on April 13.
By JOHN FRANK
Published June 22, 2007
BROOKSVILLE - A Hernando County deputy who died in a early morning car wreck in April had a blood-alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit, according to toxicology results released by the medical examiner Thursday.
Deputy Michael Stegner, 27, was driving his unmarked agency-issued car at 4:15 a.m. on April 13 when he plowed into the back of a tow truck on Spring Hill Drive near Pinehurst Drive, reports state.
Stegner, who was off-duty at the time, died at the scene.
The 5th Circuit Medical Examiner's Office said the cause of death was blunt trauma as a result of the accident, according to the autopsy.
Toxicology results show his blood-alcohol content was 0.223. A urine sample indicated an even higher level of 0.297. Florida law presumes a driver is impaired at 0.08.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Black said the agency will not comment on the results until it reviews the final investigation from the Florida Highway Patrol.
"We can't comment until the report has been concluded, " she said Thursday afternoon.
Highway Patrol spokesman Larry Coggins said he expects his agency's investigation to be complete next week.
"The evidence is pretty clear cut - operating a motor vehicle in a careless manner with an unlawful blood-alcohol content led to this crash, " he said.
The Sheriff's Office is conducting its own internal investigation, which is also nearing completion, Black said.
The deputy's death hit the agency hard. His father, James Stegner, is a detective. His mother, Peggy Stegner, and his sister, Michelle Eddy, both are clerks for the Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Richard Nugent siad it was "like losing a son."
Stegner joined the office in mid 2002 after spending a couple of years in various jobs as a pipe fitter, electrician's assistant and secretary at a tax preparation firm.
He requested a transfer in February from a regular road patrol job to the plainclothes unit.
John Frank can be reached at jfrank@sptimes.com or 754-6114.
[Last modified June 21, 2007, 23:17:07]
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by Tom
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07/02/07 07:44 AM
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In response to Jim's post: What?
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by Top
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06/25/07 04:07 PM
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Being an AI I find that it is most unfortunate that his BA level was so high especially while operating an agency vehicle. His death is testiment that no-one is above the law, especially L/E types. My heart goes out to his family and co-workers.
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by Jim
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06/22/07 05:07 PM
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"The deputy's death hit the agency hard. His father, James Stegner, is a detective. His mother, Peggy Stegner, and his sister, Michelle Eddy, both are clerks for the Sheriff's Office."
Can you say nepotism? Are they all drunks driving county cars?
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by Stickler
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06/22/07 09:38 AM
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An official vehicle used for carousing around the county while off-duty? Who fills the gas tank for these joy rides?
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by Dick
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06/22/07 09:30 AM
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Tax payers will buy the sheriff another vehicle but the driver cannot be bought or replaced.No wonder the sheriffs budget is so high
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by Dick
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06/22/07 09:29 AM
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Condolances to the family of the deputy, The deputy knew he was doing wrong out on personal time drinking & partying while in a county vehicle. Sheriff Nuegent needs to keep better control of his deputys.(continued)
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by alan
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06/22/07 07:57 AM
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on or off duty ,ya dont drive drunk,of course he didnt think he was drunk at three times the legal limit,,he should have known better than that how many more young rookies are out there doing the same thing,,and thinking ,ill just show my badge,,,,,
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by Jane
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06/22/07 07:25 AM
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Because you enforce the law doesn't make you above the law. Let this be a lesson to all.
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