Activist who pushed for Kilah's Law charged with DWI

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — An activist and former political candidate is facing allegations of driving drunk after troopers said he crashed his car in a cornfield.
 
State troopers arrested Jeff Gerber Saturday evening after they said he lost control of his car on Unionville-Indian Trail Road.
 
Investigators said Gerber smelled strongly of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests before registering a 0.15 percent on a breath test, nearly twice the legal limit.
 
"The trooper knew who Mr. Gerber was and it was obvious to him that there was some impairment involved," said Sgt. Mark Leach. "He told the trooper he had just made a mistake."
 
Troopers said Gerber tried to plead guilty before a magistrate when he was booked into jail before he was released on charges of DWI and reckless driving.
 
When reached by phone on Monday, Gerber told Channel 9 he was ready to face his mistakes.
 
"It's our responsibility as citizens to follow the law and when we fail to follow the law we need to be held responsible," Gerber said.
 
Gerber also said he lost control of his car when he was reaching for a tissue after suffering a sneezing fit.
 
"My intention is to take my punishment as a man," Gerber said. "I'm not going to cry about it. I feel terrible about what happened and I'm thankful nobody was hurt."
 
Gerber is best known for his advocacy for child-abuse victim Kilah Davenport and pushing for a law in her name, Kilah's Law. He has also recently been critical of a Union County Department of Social Services worker and her boyfriend for allegations of child abuse and neglect.

WSOC