A Bellevue man pleaded not guilty Monday to aggravated DUI, a felony, in connection with a single-vehicle accident on Broadford Road last December that led to his and another man's being flown by emergency helicopter to a Boise hospital.
Jason Ray Calhoun, 32, entered his plea at arraignment before Judge Robert Elgee in Blaine County 5th District Court. Elgee advised Calhoun that the crime of aggravated DUI is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
A jury trial, expected to last three days, was scheduled to begin Sept. 5. Calhoun remains free on $15,000 bond. He is represented by Hailey attorney Douglas Werth under Werth's public defender contract with Blaine County.
Calhoun was charged with the crime in April following an investigation by the Blaine County Sheriff's Office.
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According to the Sheriff's Office, the accident occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, when Calhoun, driving a white 1994 GMC Sierra pickup, lost control of the vehicle near Star Bridge on Broadford Road between Hailey and Bellevue. The vehicle left the road at a curve near the bridge and crashed through a fence and hit several trees.
Sheriff's Capt. Curtis Miller said earlier that Calhoun and passenger Robert G. Symons, 29, of Bellevue, both suffered head injuries and were flown by emergency helicopter to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Neither man suffered life-threatening injuries and both were later released.
Miller said at the time that alcohol was suspected as a factor in the accident.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Jason Ray Calhoun
