Richmond man driving intoxicated in Charles City receives six-month jail term

A Richmond man will spend six months in jail for driving while intoxicated in Charles City County.

Andrew Nicholas Cotman, 31, of the 6800 block of Roost Hill Court, Richmond, entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of driving while intoxicated-first offense (originally driving while intoxicated that resulted in maiming) as part of a plea agreement reached on Sept. 18 in Charles City Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence provided by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Tyler Klink, on July 4 Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Lewis Tyler Lane. Upon an investigation, it was determined that Cotman, who was one of the operators of a vehicle involved in the crash, was intoxicated at the time, with his blood-alcohol content (BAC) level being greater than .2, more than one-and-a-half times the legal limit.

Under the plea agreement, Cotman received a 12-month sentence with six months suspended (six months to serve). He must pay a fine of $2,500 and complete 75 hours of community service.

In an unrelated case, a Charles City woman will serve three months in jail after she drove under the influence of alcohol.

Wanda Hartsoe Elko, 76, of the 11000 block of Kimages Road, entered a guilty to an amended charge of driving while intoxicated that resulted in serious injury (originally driving while intoxicated third or subsequent offense) as part of a plea agreement.

In a summary of evidence, on Jan. 21 Charles City County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service for a single car crash on Route 5 (John Tyler Memorial Highway) near Westover Church. Upon arriving, the officers found the driver, identified later as Elko, stuck in her car. Upon removing Elko from the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of alcohol. The defendant was transported to the hospital for injuries, with a subsequent blood draw revealing her BAC at .186, more than twice the legal limit.

Under the agreement, Elko received a five-year sentence with four years, nine months suspended (three months of active time to serve).