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Pedestrian remains hospitalized

Brittany Whitley
Staff Writer
Published: November 9, 2009
Updated: November 9, 2009

More charges could come in a weekend incident that left a pedestrian in critical condition.
According to Auburn police, Shou Ju Chen, 35, who
according to Auburn University is a visiting professor, was airlifted from downtown Auburn on Friday with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a
Toyota 4-Runner on Magnolia
Avenue.
Chen was in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition at Columbus Regional Medical Center as of Monday, according to Cathy Buck, manager of community relations for the hospital.
Thomas R. Latham, 20, an Auburn University student majoring in pre-business, was arrested at the scene for DUI, said Auburn police Capt. Tom Stofer. Stofer said more charges could follow after the investigation is complete.
“Normally … we’ll complete our investigation then we’ll present it to the district attorney’s office. Then he would present it to a grand jury,” Stofer said.
Stofer said they will not know what those charges, if any, will be until the investigation is compete.
“It’s really too early to tell,” he said.

Reader Reactions

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Flag Comment Posted by sdrdj on November 15, 2009 at 4:02 pm

Actually the dui rate has gone down this semester due to the Toomer’s Ten. Furthermore, he might have been at any number of house parties to receive the alcohol.

Flag Comment Posted by iluvauburn on November 09, 2009 at 6:55 pm

I pray that Ms. Chen will recover and regret that she had this experience in Auburn.

I pray also for Mr. Latham that he understands his wrongdoing and that he pay the consequences for his actions. I hope and pray that he hasn’t ruined his life in one brief night.

For the establishment or individual who sold or served this 20 year old alcoholic beverages: I hope the Auburn police, district attorney, and grand jury pursue every avenue possible to charge you equally as Mr. Latham.

When selling or providing alcohol to a minor (college student under 21 - huge customer base) is taken seriously, only then will Auburn’s DUI rate fall.

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