Former State Trooper Gets Jail Time for DWI

TYLER � Former state trooper Joe Don Abernathy has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated. The charge stems from an accident Abernathy had while driving his patrol car to work. It was first reported that Abernathy crashed on November 5, 2012, after allegedly swerving to miss a deer on Old Omen Road in Tyler. It happened near the Arrowhead Golf Course. The car reportedly sustained substantial damage. Abernathy resigned from his position as a DPS trooper the next day. A blood test showed his blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit.