A preliminary hearing was waived and release was granted to the man now charged with assault and three counts of wanton endangerment in relation to a collision on I-24 in August.
Twenty-six-year-old Nickolas Lack of Fort Campbell reportedly had been westbound off the travel portion of the highway near the 86 mile-marker in a construction zone when he struck a pickup parked in the emergency lane that was being used to clean up as workers were about to leave. The collision ejected 53-year-old John Bright of Benton from the back of the pickup and Lack had to be extricated from his car, and both were taken to Nashville hospitals for treatment.
Lack’s lawyer says his client was in the hospital from the time of the collision until just last week, and he continues to need medical assistance, so he requested Lack be released from the Christian County Jail.
Assistant County Attorney Katherine Foster argued that Lack is a danger to others, as he was allegedly under the influence when the collision occurred.
District Judge Lindsey Adams did grant his release, but with strict conditions when he returns to Fort Campbell.
Lack is facing charges of first-degree assault, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-offense DUI and first-degree criminal mischief. The case now heads to the grand jury for consideration of indictment.