Repeat drunk driver charged in crash opts for jail

A serial drunk driver charged with impaired driving and fleeing an accident near Enfield, N.S., has agreed to stay behind bars until his next court appearance, in May.

Terry Naugle, 51, from the Truro area, didn't seek bail Wednesday during a brief appearance in Dartmouth provincial court.

Naugle, who has more than 20 convictions for drunk-driving offences, was arrested in connection with a March 28 hit and run on Highway 102. He's charged with impaired driving, refusing a breathalyzer, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and driving while disqualified.

The victim of the crash, Julia McMillan, was in court Wednesday, along with a representative from the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They want Naugle declared a dangerous offender if convicted, which would mean he could be locked up indefinitely.

"We had a second chance at life," McMillan told reporters when asked why she came to court. "You can't walk away from that responsibility to not be here and to save someone else. You can't be given that chance and not do something about it."

Bobby Naugle was in court to support his brother. He doesn't defend his brother's record, but said it would be wrong to lock him up potentially for the rest of his life.

"Terry needs help," he said.

Terry Naugle is at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth. He is expected to return to court on May 13 for election and plea.