The Badger Herald: News: P.J. Hill enters not guilty plea

News

P.J. Hill enters not guilty plea

Former Badgers starting running back denies March drunken driving charges

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By Signe Brewster
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 12:10 a.m.

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Former University of Wisconsin football running back P.J. Hill’s counsel pled not guilty on Hill’s behalf to traffic charges Monday.

Hill, 22, was charged with reckless endangerment of public safety, refusing to take an intoxicant test after arrest, first-offense drunken driving and driving without proper headlights after leading police on a chase March 14.

Hill was arrested after allegedly hitting a guardrail at the Open Pantry convenience store on Randall and Regent streets. UW Police Department officials said Hill attempted to flee after spotting a patrol car, leading police on a short chase that ended after Hill hit a wooden wall on Spring Street near his home.

Once approached by the police, Hill refused a breathalyzer test but confirmed he had been drinking. He was then taken into custody around 2:30 a.m. and released March 16, when he made his first appearance in the Dane County Circuit Court.

He originally faced additional charges of second-degree reckless endangerment and fleeing police officers, both of which are considered felonies.

However, the felony charges were dropped last week by the Dane County District Attorney’s Office.

“There was insufficient evidence to prove the felony-level criminal charges,” District Attorney Brian Blanchard said. “[The charges] were referred in good faith by police based on evidence on the front end, but we have to focus on what we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Blanchard said Hill will meet with members of the DA’s office on May 15, at which point a conference will be held to determine where the case is headed.

According to Blanchard, this is a common procedure for people facing traffic offenses.

Hill could face to $1,362.20 in fines for the charges.

According to university statistics, Hill led the Badgers in rushing last fall as a junior, when he ran for 1,194 yards on 226 carries. Hill decided to forgo his senior year and leave the university at the end of the fall 2008 semester in order to be eligible to enter the NFL draft.

Hill and his attorney could not be reached for comment as of press time.