A Doylestown man who struck a Springfield Township police officer has been sentenced to six years in prison.
On Wednesday, a Summit County jury found Michael Plemons, 35, guilty on all counts for causing a drunk driving crash that left officer Mark Dodez paralyzed.
Plemons was convicted of aggravated vehicular assault, driving under the influence and hit-skip. He also recieved a 10-year license suspension.
Officer Dodez was struck by the car on March 31 while walking along South Arlington Road investigating a separate incident.
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News Release from Summit County Prosecutor's office:
Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced today that Judge Alison McCarty sentenced Michael Plemons, 35, of Bailey Court in Doylestown, to six years in prison and a 10-year license suspension, the maximum penalty Plemons could receive.
“Two families were destroyed the night of March 31 because a man chose to drive drunk,” said Summit County Prosecuting Attorney Sherri Bevan Walsh. “I’m pleased that Judge McCarty gave Mr. Plemons the maximum sentence, and I hope this serves as a reminder to everyone of the danger police officers face every day. I also hope this serves as a warning of what can happen when you get behind the wheel of your car after having too many drinks.”
On March 31, Plemons drove his truck into Springfield Township Patrolman Mark Dodez as Officer Dodez was searching for evidence that had been thrown onto Arlington Road in Springfield during a police chase earlier that evening. Plemons' blood alcohol content was .28 after the crash.
A jury found Plemons guilty of Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a third-degree felony; Driving Under the Influence, a first-degree misdemeanor; and Hit-Skip, a fifth-degree felony, on November 2.
