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Van driver charged in wreck that injured boy turns himself in

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

(Updated Wednesday, November 26 - 8:51 am)

Staff Reports

GREENSBORO — A man facing charges including DWI after police allege his van ran off the road Nov. 11 and struck a 12-year-old boy, seriously injuring him, turned himself in today, police said.

Michael Charles Parks, 40, was issued a $1,500 bond, according to Greensboro police.

According to police, a van drove through the stop sign at Walker Avenue and South Lindell Road about 2:40 p.m. The van went straight off the road as the road curved to the right. The van hit Drew Gardner, crushing the right side of his body.

The wreck happened on a school holiday. Drew and his friend Taylor Rhynehardt were playing in Lindley Park.

Parks was been charged with driving while impaired and aggravated felony injury by motor vehicle in connection with the wreck.

Parks, 40, was not taken into custody after being admitted to the hospital following the wreck.

Accompanying Photos

Jerry Wolford (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Michael Charles Parks, 40, is led away by police shortly after the wreck.

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kurgun

November 25, 2008 - 8:05 pm EST

Well I'm glad the guy is being arrested and everything but something doesen't seem to add up. In the picture it shows him being led away in cuffs shortly after the wreck. The headline reads that he turned himself in, so which is it? Rather strange news reporting.

snoopdog

November 26, 2008 - 8:51 am EST

Oh, that's not strange repoorting....that's our strange policing in Greensboro. At the scene the guy was not arrested AT ALL and was either sent or taken to the hospital. Dig this, had he been charged by the police, then the Police Department would have assumed responsibility for his hopsital stay...which would have involved a band- aid and some drying out. He had a string of previous convications and at least one outstanding warrant for his arrest. And he was treated better than you would be if you so much as threw a cup out the window. It explains to me now why whenever I have to take anyone to the emergency room there is always at least one out of his mind drunk in there....OUR police have dropped them off rather than taking them to jail. It saves MONEY, apparently.

EGardner

December 9, 2008 - 9:35 am EST

Hello. I'm Drews father. the picture is from the day that guy almost killed my son, but the hospital released him. we were told that the hospital "didnt let police know he was being discharged" and thats how he left. He fled after numerous death threats. Although i'm happy he turned himself in, I wont be truly satisfied until he pays for his crime. And THAT will be when he shows UP for his court date.

John Newsom

November 26, 2008 - 8:58 am EST

Kurgun: We've run a bunch of stories on this particular incident. I added in the "Related Stories" box above that explains one of the in-between steps that goes to your comment and what snoopdog says in his comment.