WAYNESVILLE, Mo. -- A Springfield police officer is charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident in Pulaski County after a state trooper stopped him last month. The prosecutor formally charged Joseph Motte of Waynesville on Wednesday with DWI and two counts of careless and imprudent driving (all three are misdemeanors), and leaving the scene of an accident and two counts of possession of a firearm while intoxicated (all three of these are felonies).

Troopers said Motte did not stop his car after it struck an 18-wheeler as he entered I-44 late on Sept. 23. After traveling seven miles, Motte's car went off the road and struck a cable barrier.

Troopers said emergency workers found a whiskey flask and beer cans in the car. They also said he denied that he’d been in an accident after he was extricated from his car.

The Springfield Police Department started an internal affairs investigation after Officer Motte was cited on Sept. 23. After he was charged, Motte was put on paid administrative leave. Police Chief Lynn Rowe says he may be able to make a decision on Motte's future with the department next week. He said Motte would lose his state peace officer’s certificate if he’s convicted of a felony.

If convicted of the felonies, Motte could get up to four years in state prison and/or a fine up to $5,000 on each charge. For the misdemeanors, Motte could get up to six months in a county jail and/or up to a $500 fine for the DWI charge, and up to one year in a jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine for the C&I charges. Most people convicted of a first-time DWI don’t get the maximum penalty.