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Hite Gets Probation For DUI

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 18, 2007

TAMPA - Longtime News Channel 8 anchor Bob Hite will serve one year of probation and have his driver's license suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol in November.

Hite

Hite's DUI arrest came one week before his retirement.

He didn't appear in court today; he already had moved to Colorado, said his attorney, Art Eggers.

Eggers said Hite decided a plea of no contest was the right thing to do and that Hite regretted driving under the influence.

"He made a mistake," Eggers said. "He was home, and his wife was in Colorado. The only communication with her was his cell phone. He left his cell behind and made the mistake of looking for it. He had to have contact with his wife."

Hite's license will be suspended for six months, he must serve 50 hours of community service, pay court costs and attend a victim impact panel.

Hite is a first offender with an excellent traffic record, Eggers told Judge Lawrence M. Lefler today.

Last month, Hite apologized to viewers, family and friends and thanked Tampa police, saying officers had done him a great service.

Officers stopped Hite's 2005 Toyota sedan early Nov. 21 in South Tampa after seeing the car weave while traveling west for several blocks, according to a police report.

A breath analysis showed Hite had a blood-alcohol level of 0.127, according to jail records. Florida law presumes a driver is impaired at a level of 0.08 or greater.

Hite spent 30 years at News Channel 8.

News Channel 8's 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. news shows have ranked No. 1 in the market for the past 12 years, with Hite and Gayle Sierens as anchors. The two had been co-anchors since 1985.

News Channel 8, the Tribune and TBO.com are owned by Media General of Richmond, Va.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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