Kevin Lee Liechti (Courtesy Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail)
Police have arrested a man accused of being intoxicated when he crashed his car during the aftermath of the Historic Triangle’s first winter storm of the year.
The crash left one of his two passengers with life-threatening injuries, said Stephanie Williams, a spokesperson for the James City County Police Department.
Kevin Lee Liechti, a 32-year-old Williamsburg resident, was charged with felony maiming by DUI for the accident that occurred Feb. 22 on Oakland Drive off Richmond Road near Toano.
Authorities said Liechti had a blood alcohol level of .11 when he slid on the ice while traveling southbound on Oakland Drive from Richmond Road.
He began skidding off the roadway and into a tree before continuing to spin and hitting a second tree, causing the 2005 Chevy he was driving to become airborne before landing perpendicular to the roadway, Williams said.
Both passengers were ejected from the vehicle and transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News. One of the passengers was treated for major injuries, including abrasions, bruising, broken ribs and a large laceration to his back that required 34 stitches.
Williams said the passenger with major injuries was placed in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. His current condition is not known.
The other passenger’s injuries were not life-threatening.
Both passengers were not wearing their seat belts at the time, Williams said.
Liechti, who was wearing his seat belt, was arrested at the scene and charged with misdemeanor DUI. He was later charged with felony maiming while under the influence.
Liechti will appear in Williamsburg-James City County General District Court at 8:30 a.m. May 7.