A 68-year-old Village of Hillsborough resident arrested in August on a drunk driving charge after he had taken part in a hula-dancing contest, apparently plans to use his wife, neighbors and X-rays from his orthopedic surgeon as part of his legal defense.
Steven Walthall Crist was pulled over at 1:54 a.m. Aug. 29 at U.S. 301 and County Road 466 after he was clocked driving 62 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. Crist told the arresting deputy he had been in a hula-dancing contest before going to the Dallas Bar on U.S. 301 in Marion County. He admitted to the deputy he had consumed alcohol to get up the courage to take part in the hula-dancing contest. He failed field sobriety exercises and refused to submit to a breath test.
Crist has pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving under the influence.
As part of his defense, Crist’s lawyer, William J. Sheslow, intends to call as witnesses Crist’s wife and neighbors Tom and Nancy Long, according to documents on file with the Sumter County Clerk of Courts Office.
A letter from an orthopedic surgeon in Maryland also indicates that Crist suffers from “degenerative osteoarthritic changes in both his knees as well as a broken ankle.”
He has also had symptoms and history of low back problems, degenerative disc disease in his neck and back and neuropathy in both of his feet, the letter indicates.
“Steve has multiple musculoskeletal problems which would make it extremely difficult for him to do heel to toe walking as well as walking in a straight line,” said the letter written by Dr. James S. Gardiner of Maryland Orthopedic Specialists.
The letter is accompanied by several X-rays.
Crist’s case is on the docket for case management Thursday morning before Judge Thomas D. Skidmore.
