Video: ‘Legal Loophole’ Allows Repeat DUI Offenders To Skirt Consequences Of Law

LEE COUNTY, MISS. (WCBI) -Haley Grace Jones considers holding her one month-old baby boy a special moment.

“It’s nothing but a miracle,” Jones said.

This past Monday was just as ordinary as any other Monday for the 18 year-old newlywed, until she the lights of another car.

“I had just dropped my husband off at work and I was on the way to my dad’s, it was about 6 o clock, got on Auburn Road, came around the curve where the church is, and saw headlights coming. I just grabbed onto the wheel and literally saw my life flash before my eyes, screamed, Jesus help me. He hit me,” Jones said.

The impact knocked the dashboard out of place, shattering the vehicle’s windows.

“On his side, I had just happened to put a blanket over him when I dropped my husband off and I am so glad I did because there was glass all over the blanket.  I crawled out of the window, got baby out before anyone even got there, when I saw the vehicles I don’t know how we made it out,” Jones said.

First responders were amazed there were no serious injuries.  Haley Grace is still bruised and Fisher’s tiny body was sore for a couple of days.

Investigators say the driver of the PT Cruiser is 60 year old Ronald Wallace Yoe.

He reportedly didn’t know he had hit another vehicle, until he was at the hospital being treated for minor injuries.   Deputies tell us this was the fourth time in a year Yoe was arrested for DUI. He has bonded out of jail.

“It hurts my heart that he’s actually out of jail today because he could have killed not only me but a three week old innocent baby,” she said.

Haley Grace is not the only one upset that a repeat offender caused the wreck that could have killed her or the baby.   Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says a legal loophole allows people like Ronald Yoe, to strike plea deals that don’t tell the whole story.

“They get a second DUI, and they work out something between two attorneys, prosecution or whatever , and instead of being convicted of DUI second offense, they plead to another first offense.  So it just counts as one, that becomes repetitive,” Sheriff Johnson said.

But this time, Sheriff Johnson says Yoe is charged with DUI third offense, which is a felony, carrying time in prison if convicted.

Now, Haley Grace is looking for another car and she has a message for Mr Yoe.

“Please, if you are going to drink do not drive, you can stay at home, get as drunk as you want to but please never ever get behind the wheel and drive, because you could have killed us,” she pleaded.

Attempts to contact Ronald Yoe for his side of the story were not successful.