news-record.com

Maybe nothing could have stopped Michael Charles Parks from driving Tuesday afternoon. But he could have been put in jail for 30 days earlier this year, which might have been the shock he needed to turn himself around.

Instead, on Tuesday Parks was driving a van that ran a stop sign on South Lindell Road, veered off the street, rolled down a hill and struck a boy playing by the creek. The youngster was seriously injured. Parks, 40, was charged with driving while impaired and driving with his license revoked.

He should face the heavier charge of aggravated felony serious injury by vehicle, which applies when an intoxicated driver causes a serious injury and has had a previous DWI conviction within seven years. Parks was convicted of drunken driving in 2005.

He was convicted of hit-and-run less than a year ago and sentenced to 30 days, suspended for 12 months provided he perform community service, court records show. He was issued a notice to revoke the suspension of his sentence for failure to complete the community service and ordered to appear in court July 23. He didn't show. An order for his arrest was issued that day but never served. Parks should have been arrested and jailed months ago. Police dropped the ball. As of Friday afternoon, they still had not served the earlier arrest order, and Parks was not in custody.

Parks has been in denial, telling a WFMY reporter, "I was just putzing around the neighborhood in the van and I just don't know how everything went so wrong."

He was "putzing around" without a driver's license. But it was more like recklessly careening around. He also said, "I was stone cold sober when this happened, I guarantee you that. I hadn't drank in three days and I hadn't taken drugs, marijuana in over four."

His "guarantee" isn't worth much. All legal means should be used to find out whether he was impaired Tuesday afternoon, and prosecution under the toughest laws should commence.

And, first thing, he should serve the 30 days he still owes. Leniency with dangerous people can get somebody hurt. This time it was a child.