Jerry Dale Collins

Late in the evening of March 25, 2008, Jerry Dale Collins accelerated his truck from the New Circle Road stoplight in front of Solid Platinum, entered the parking lot, and struck and injured his girlfriend -- who was employed as a dancer there and had been waiting outside with a club bouncer for Collins to pick her up.
 
Collins -- who was intoxicated and later tested well above the limit with a .147 alcohol level -- told investigating officers that he had been drinking at the club earlier because his girlfriend insisted that he watch her dance.  He said he became angry with her for dancing for other customers, so he tipped other dancers, which made her angry.  His girlfriend confirmed to police that they had argued.  Collins said that he left the club and returned when she called him to pick her up to take her home.
 
Collins told police that his clutch had malfunctioned, causing him to lose control of the truck, then later said he may have come into the parking lot a little fast. Though he denied driving toward anyone purposefully, the bouncer who had been standing with Collins' girlfriend told police she had been talking to Collins on her cell phone and she complained that Collins had just called her a whore.  A motorist who was behind Collins on New Circle Road told police Collins had been revving his engine before the light changed, then squealed his tires and accelerated toward the two people standing outside the establishment.
 
Jerry Dale Collins pled guilty to Assault in the Second Degree, Wanton Endangerment, and Driving Under the Influence. His girlfriend -- who remained with him -- indicated in a letter to the sentencing judge that the incident was unintentional and joined in his request that he be given probation.  Collins was sentenced to serve five years in prison.