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Former Milton principal sentenced for DUI wrecks in Forsyth
buhl
Buhl

FORSYTH COUNTY — The former Milton High School principal who resigned after being arrested for three consecutive DUI wrecks, two of which were in Forsyth County, has pleaded guilty to some of the charges.

According to Forsyth court records, 37-year-old Nathan John Buhl of Canton was ordered to serve six months of probation, complete 20 hours of community service and pay $1,102 in fees for two counts of failure to report an accident.

State Court Judge Leslie Abernathy-Maddox allowed Buhl’s probation to finish early, once his community service and fines were satisfied.

Buhl also was allowed to credit community service hours worked prior to the May 5 sentencing.

He had initially been charged with two counts each of driving under the influence and hit and run and with striking an unattended vehicle and failure to maintain lane. Those charges were amended.

Buhl’s attorney, Logan Butler, said his firm’s policy was to not comment on such cases.

A check of Cherokee County court records shows Buhl was sentenced to two years in jail for the third accident in which he was involved on the night of July 26.

According to Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office reports, Buhl’s Chrysler 300 sideswiped another vehicle about 9:15 p.m. as he traveled south on Ga. 400 at Pilgrim Mill Road near Cumming.

No one was injured in that first incident, and damage to both vehicles was moderate, but he drove away, reports said.

He then reportedly struck a parked vehicle in a neighborhood off Browns Bridge Road in north Forsyth.

Deputies caught up with him about 10:30 p.m. after they found his vehicle resting on its driver’s side, wedged between two trees on Hwy. 20 near Old Mill Road, according to Cherokee’s sheriff’s reports.

A tire had gone flat at some point during his travels, reports said, but he apparently drove a “significant distance” on it, wearing it down to the metal rim.

Buhl turned himself in to Cherokee authorities after posting bond from the Forsyth County Detention Center, facing charges in both counties.

He resigned from his position as principal at the end of July after being hired in May 2014. The 2014-15 school year had yet to begin.

On Nov. 13, a Cherokee judge ordered Buhl to serve 90 days in jail, with the remainder of the time spent on probation.

He was levied $1,506 in fines and also was ordered to complete 60 hours of community service and a substance abuse evaluation.

Previously served community service hours were permitted for credit in Cherokee, too, and his probation was allowed to be terminated after one year if he completed his hours and paid all fines.