A Panola County man was cited for driving under the influence following a one-vehicle crash on Bell Road on Oct. 31, according to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office.
Dispatchers received the crash call on Halloween. Deputies arrived and found the vehicle’s sole occupant, Gaines Baker, seated in the passenger seat; investigators later determined he had been driving.
Baker works as an attorney for Panola County.
Deputies said Baker appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He consented to a series of standardized field sobriety tests and attempted a portable breath test but was unable to provide an adequate sample.
Because of injuries from the crash, Baker was taken to Panola Medical Center, where—under a search warrant—a blood sample was obtained and submitted to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for analysis.
Baker was issued a DUI citation and remained under medical care. The investigation is ongoing.
