PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- A 38-year-old man has been charged with vehicular battery and 1st offense DUI in connection with a motorcycle accident that happened last month in Hughes County.

Court documents say a Hughes County Sheriff’s Deputy was called to Merry Road and Grey Goose Road for a one vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the deputy found an unconscious woman on the ground and Robert Bartlett, the driver of the motorcycle. The deputy called for assistance from the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Bartlett said he had just pulled out of a parking lot when the bike tipped over. Bartlett claimed his passenger, Nakay Lucero, was hesitant around motorcycles and that contributed to the incident. However, witness testimony and skid marks on the road led officers on scene to determine that information was not factual. Bartlett also refused to take a breath test (PBT) or do standard field sobriety tests (SFST).

Lucero was flown to Sioux Falls for medical care.

Vehicular battery is a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both. Court documents also say if convicted of the felony charge, it would be a third felony offense, so habitual offender information was also filed. The documents indicate Bartlett has a history of DUIs, driving with no driver’s license and driving under revocation, among others. Bartlett is out on a $2500 cash only bond.