Longboat Key resident Hal Christensen, 49, will be on probation through July 2025 following his conviction for a first-degree misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence and causing property damage.
Christensen was arrested Dec. 29, 2023, after he was found to be the sole occupant of a truck that crashed at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue. A Holmes Beach police officer found the truck crashed into multiple objects before colliding with a pedestrian crossing signal and city generator.
Christensen was arrested on suspicion of DUI and asked for breath samples, which Christensen refused to provide.
Christensen initially filed a not-guilty plea but changed his plea to no contest during a July 19 court hearing.
At the same hearing, Judge Heather Doyle of the 12th Circuit Court ruled Christensen guilty of the misdemeanor charge.
Doyle sentenced him to complete 12 months of probation, 75 hours of public service work, DUI school and a victim impact panel, as well as suspended his license for six months.