State Rep. Joe Boylan of Pinehurst drove his 1999 Ford pickup truck over the center line, off the left side of the road and into a ditch before striking a tree Thursday night in eastern Moore County, Sgt. T.C. McNair of the state Highway Patrol said.

Boylan was treated at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. The Highway Patrol charged him with driving left of center and DWI.

Reached by phone Saturday night, Boylan said he failed to negotiate a curve.

McNair said the precise results of Boylan's blood-alcohol test will not be available from the State Bureau of Investigation for several weeks.

"Last night's traffic incident was a wake-up call for me," Boylan said in a written statement. "This is the first time I have ever been charged with an alcohol-related offense, and I promise that it will be the last. I accept full responsibility and am very ashamed of my behavior. I have already arranged for regular counseling, which will enable me to stop drinking altogether."

Boylan was elected in November 2006 after defeating former House Co-speaker Richard Morgan in the May primary.

Morgan had infuriated partisan Republicans by negotiating a power-sharing deal with since-ousted Speaker Jim Black, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County. Morgan blamed party leaders and Raleigh millionaire Art Pope for his defeat.

Boylan cited his grass-roots support in Moore County and apologized to his supporters for the drunk-driving incident.

"I ask for the forgiveness and prayers of the citizens of Moore County as my family deals with this issue," he said.

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