The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/14/09 Section: News

Fu

Athens-Clarke County State Court dropped a driving under the influence of alcohol charge against the head of the University math department in a court agreement last week.

On Friday, the court changed the charge to reckless driving, and Joseph Fu pled no contest. He was found guilty of driving the wrong way down a one-way street, but a charge of failure to obey a traffic control device was dropped, according to court documents.

Fu was put on 12 months probation, 20 hours of community service and ordered to pay $750 for various court costs. He also must serve on a victim impact panel within six months.

Fu was arrested in August after driving the wrong way on a one-way exit ramp on Loop 10, according to the police report. Fu's breath sample was .057 grams, less than the .08 legal limit for people over 21. Police said Fu's arrest fell under the "DUI Less Safe" policy, in which a person can be arrested for a DUI, even if a breath sample is under the .08 legal limit.

Student charged with felony attempt to obtain drugs

University student Blake Farrell Buchanan was arrested Monday night and charged with felony attempt to obtain dangerous drugs.

Buchanan is accused of presenting another person's Xanax prescription for himself at an Athens Rite Aid Pharmacy in December to obtain the anxiety pills. After police received a tip, warrants were filed for his arrest.

Buchanan was parked in his car on Prince Avenue when he was arrested, according to a police report.

Buchanan declined to comment Tuesday.

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