He pleaded not guilty last week in fatal wreck
Wade O’Neil Hall was arrested last night in Springfield, on a charge of possession of drug-related objects.
Police investigated a suspicious vehicle and found Hall, 20, with a pipe that can be used to smoke illegal drugs, said Springfield Police Chief Paul Wynn. He said Hall was the only person in the vehicle.
Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman David Ehsanipoor said Hall was freed from jail this morning, on $650 bond.
Additional charges may be pending, Wynn said.
Hall pleaded not guilty last week to 14 counts stemming from a wreck that killed Joshua Klayton Stafford on April 18, 2011.
Motions in that case are scheduled to be heard on Feb. 26.
Prosecutors alledge Hall was under the influence of alcohol when the fatal accident occurred and was driving 95 mph in a 55 mph zone.
He was arraigned on Jan. 29 on charges of: two counts homicide by vehicle, first degree; six counts of serious injury by vehicle; and one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol less safe; driving under the influence of alcohol under age 21; exceeding maximum speed limits; reckless driving; following too closely; and weaving over roadway.
Hall was indicted on 10 of the counts in March 2012. Four more counts were added by the Jan. 24 grand jury.
Hall was free on $27,700 bail in the fatal accident.
Hall was driving northbound on Midland Road, at the intersection with Courthouse Road, at about 9:30 p.m. when his 2000 black Honda Civic coupe crossed into the path of a 2006 white Acura driven by Rebecca Hart of Guyton, police said.
Stafford, a passenger in Hall’s car, was killed. Hart and two children in her car were injured.
Hall and Stafford were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated. Hall’s attorney, Ray Smith, has said in court documents that Hall was seriously injured in the wreck.
Both men were 18 at the time of the fatal wreck.
Smith has made a motion to exclude chemical test results that indicate Hall had a blood alcohol level of 0.07. He also has asked to question potential jurors individually and separated from each other.
And he has asked for a change of venue due to pre-trial publicity. He also wants the jurors to view the scene of the collision.