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Hill case set for trial in November

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, August 18, 2008 11:25 PM CDT

MARION - The 22-year-old Marion man charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in the death of Justin Dodd, 22, of Johnston City, is set to go to trial in November. Dodd was a passenger in Hill's vehicle.

Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Hall said Monday that a status hearing in the Ross Adam Hill case is set for Sept. 22 followed by a final pretrial on Oct. 31 and then the trial on Nov. 18.

Hill's attorney, Randy Patchett of Marion, argued previously before Judge William Wilson that the results of his client's blood alcohol content should be inadmissible. The blood test was administered by the state police. Patchett had contended that the blood test results should be invalid because state rules governing blood draws had changed just prior to the accident.

Wilson denied Patchett's motion to suppress the evidence.

On the day of the accident, Hill was driving a Mitsubishi sports utility vehicle, which left Little Egypt Road, about one half mile east of Wagon Creek Road in Williamson County. The wreck occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. in July 2007.

Lt. Bob McCurdy with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office said Hill's vehicle overturned several times before coming to a stop. Dodd was partially ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Mike Burke.

Speed analysis tests determined that Hill's SUV was traveling anywhere from 51 to 66 mph before impact. Hill was above the legal limit of .08 in alcohol consumption. He sustained only minor injuries and was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

john.homan@thesouthern.com

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