Man who ran into DUI officer gets 10-day jail sentence

Cop said he’s glad no one was more seriously injured

WAILUKU -- Police DUI Task Force Sgt. Nick Krau said he was glad someone wasn't hurt more seriously, as a 10-day jail term was ordered for a motorcyclist who was "extremely intoxicated" when he drove into the sergeant at a DUI checkpoint last year.

Bradley Doolin, 35, was sentenced Wednesday after he pleaded no contest to an amended charge of third-degree assault, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop for an emergency vehicle.

Doolin, who gave a Kapaa, Kauai, address, was arrested after crashing a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle into Krau while he and other officers were operating a DUI checkpoint at 12:34 a.m. April 5 on South Kihei Road at Waiohuli Street.

The motorcycle wasn't in the sequence of vehicles to be pulled into the checkpoint, and Krau was directing the motorcyclist to continue past the checkpoint. Instead, Doolin drove straight toward Krau, following as the officer tried to move out of the way, he said.

Krau said he had moved off the roadway into the bicycle lane as the motorcycle continued toward him at a speed of about 25 mph. When he realized he couldn't get out of the way, Krau said he turned and tucked his arms in to try to protect himself as he was hit straight on.

"He and I both went down," Krau said. "I was on the ground and the bike was on top of me, and he was on top of me as well. His hand was still on the throttle. The engine was revving. The rear tire was spinning."

Krau managed to stand up, to the amazement of the other officers.

He said he suffered bruising and pain, as well as frequent headaches for a while afterward, but no broken bones.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Doolin wasn't injured, police said.

Police said testing showed Doolin's blood-alcohol level was 0.217 percent, which is more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Addressing Doolin in court Wednesday, Krau said, "I'm glad we're both alive here today."

"Based on my opinion, you were extremely intoxicated that night," Krau told Doolin.

If Doolin was destined to hit something that night, Krau said, "I'm glad it was me, and it wasn't that you hit someone else or something else that would have been a little less forgiving."

A plea agreement between the defense and prosecution recommended the 10-day jail term for the assault charge, which was amended from the original count of second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer. Charges of reckless driving, not having insurance and inattention to driving were dismissed as part of the agreement.

"I hope you learn your lesson," Krau said. "I wouldn't want you to go to jail because of me. I really do hope that the judge gives you some leniency with that.

"I do wish you the best of luck and hope that we never meet under these circumstances again."

Doolin asked if he could serve the time on weekends so he can continue to be employed, said his attorney, Elizabeth Cuccia. She said Doolin previously spent one day in jail before posting bail in the case.

His driver's license was suspended for one year until May 5, Cuccia said.

"I did not intend to go out and assault anybody, especially an officer of the law," Doolin said in court. "I apologize for everybody's time."

Wailuku District Judge Kirstin Hamman followed the plea agreement in sentencing Doolin. In addition to serving the jail term, he was ordered to pay a $40 fine and $499 in fees.

"It sounds like an extremely dangerous situation," Hamman told Doolin. "It appears you were highly intoxicated.

"The officers are out there risking their lives to protect the community, so it's unfortunate that this happened. I certainly hope that you have learned something from this and that you take Sgt. Krau's words to heart. I'm sure it was terrifying for him.

"Think about him and his family. He's just out there trying to do his job."

Hamman said she typically doesn't like to impose weekend jail sentences but took into consideration Krau's comments in allowing Doolin to serve the jail term on weekends starting today.

A March 10 hearing was set on restitution in the case.

Krau and Doolin shook hands after the court hearing.

Speaking afterward, Krau said it wasn't the first time he has been struck by a vehicle while doing traffic enforcement.

Krau said he believes Doolin would have hit someone or something if he had continued down the road that night. If he had hit a pole or another vehicle, someone might have been more seriously injured, Krau said.

"I prefer it happen the way it did than to be more serious," he said. "That's our job to prevent impaired driving.

"When you're out looking for impaired drivers, it's a dangerous job."

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.