JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A state House member from eastern Missouri has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in the capital city.
State Rep. Dave Hinson pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge Thursday and was fined $500. He told The Associated Press he believes he was not actually impaired but agreed to the charge to avoid a costly court fight and the potential of losing his driver's license for a year.
With the plea, Hinson said he expects his license to be suspended for 30 days.
The charge stemmed from an incident Feb. 2 when Hinson's vehicle struck a state truck near a Capitol parking garage.
Hinson said he had one alcoholic drink at dinner that day and had been taking medication that could have made him drowsy.