Gregory Orear

General Manager/Editor

Editor’s Note: This story is an update on one published online yesterday and includes an amended felony charge of Driving While Intoxicated – Drugs – Serious injury. The original arrest charge, as reported yesterday, was DWI – Serious Injury.

TROY – An Elsberry man posted a reduced bond Thursday after his arrest last week on a felony charge related to an August car accident that seriously injured a man.

Robert Turnbull, 71, posted 10 percent of a $5,000 bond after a court hearing Thursday morning, securing his release on a felony charge of driving while intoxicated, drugs, serious injury and a misdemeanor for careless and imprudent.

A criminal complaint filed by the Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney’s office states Turnbull “operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alprazolam and/or hydrocodone.”

During the hearing, Lincoln County Associate Court Judge Michael Jacobs granted the bond reduction from the original $10,000 cash only to $5,000 with 10 percent authorized. Another condition of Turnbull’s release is he’s prohibited from driving.

According to a report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, on Aug. 26, Turnbull was driving a 2008 Mercury Mariner northbound in the southbound lane of Highway W when he collided with a southbound 2009 Harley-Davidson, driven by a 62-year-old Troy man.

Court records indicate Turnbull demonstrated numerous signs of impairment, including:

– When asked when he last took one of his prescribed medications, he replied “I haven’t smoked all day.”

– When asked if he was driving without headlights, he indicated he stopped and attempted to turn on the car’s headlights. When asked if he successfully turned them on, he stated he did not. When asked if his headlights weren’t working why he continued driving. He stated, “I thought they were working.

– When he was asked recite the alphabet from E to S without singing or stopping, Turnbull indicated he was having a little trouble and stated he could not spell. After an extended pause, Turnbull stated, “E, N, E, N, C, I’m not really good at spelling.”

– When asked to rate himself on a scale of zero to 10, with zero representing completely sober and 10 representing highest he had ever been, Turnbull stated “probably, 9, 8, 9.”

– Turnbull’s saliva was tested, indicating there was traces of depressants and narcotic analgesics.

Turnbull is scheduled to appear Thursday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.