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Craig Lowe reaches deferral agreement in DUI case

Mayor Craig Lowe reached an agreement for deferred prosecution with the state attorney's office on Thursday regarding suspicion of DUI charges stemming from his March 21 car accident.

The mayor will lose his license for 14 days, pay fines, attend counseling, but avoid trial as a runoff election pivotal to his political career looms for April 16.

State Attorney for Alachua County William P. Cervone prefaced the agreement with the following: "It appearing that you have committed offenses against the state of Florida referenced above [DUI with injury or property damage - impairment] and it further appearing after an investigation of those offenses and your background that the best interests of justice will be served by the following procedures..."

Lowe will be required to complete 50 hours of community service and pay $500 to CDS Family & Behavioral Health Sciences and $100 for prosecution costs.

The mayor must also complete DUI school and alcohol and substance evaluation, complying with any treatment recommendations.

The plea, which comes two days following the release of Florida Highway Patrol videodepicting Lowe's failed sobriety tests, will be for reckless driving as a lesser offense, and Cervone recommended the court impose a minimum fine for reckless driving in lieu of anything other sanctions.

Each of these conditions must be met within 13 months. The full plea agreement can be read here.

Ethan is the Managing Editor in the Innovation News Center, home to WUFT News.He is a Pennsylvania native who found a home reporting Florida's stories. Reach him by emailing emagoc@wuft.org or calling 352-294-1525.