Former Police Officer Charged With Murder

A former police officer is charged with murder after he allegedly killed a woman while driving drunk.

Peggy Smart died when the vehicle she was driving was struck head-on Saturday afternoon, according to Citronelle Police Chief Shane Stringer.

Nicholas Driver, 31, was driving northbound on Highway 45 when he crossed into the southbound lane.  

Police discovered empty beer and liquor bottles in Driver's truck, said Stringer.

Driver, who was injured in the crash, refused to take an alcohol test at the hospital but investigators administered a test after getting a court order, according to the police chief.

Police also discovered empty beer and liquor bottles in Driver's truck, according to the police chief.

Driver worked as a police officer in Mt. Vernon but left the force several years ago.   The circumstances of driver’s departure from the police force are not immediately known, but court records show Driver has several prior arrests including domestic violence and theft.