Former Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Fred Swain - who was allegedly driving drunk last month when he crashed his police cruiser - has entered a not guilty plea to one count of driving under the influence of alcohol. Defense attorney Benjamin Hamilton entered the plea on Swain's behalf on Monday in Draper City's justice court. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Aug. 10 before Judge Daniel Bertch. A trial date could be set at that time. Swain - a 15-year veteran who commanded the UHP's DUI team - resigned Friday. In his letter of resignation, he admitted to having a drinking problem for more than two years. The 41-year-old officer was off duty about 2:30 a.m. on June 23, when he crashed his unmarked cruiser into a concrete barrier on Bangerter Highway near 400 West in Draper. Swain told officers he had fallen asleep. But tests showed his blood-alcohol level was nearly 0.12 percent. Utah's legal limit is 0.08. Swain is charged with a class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum of six months in jail, but the standard punishment for first-time DUI offenders is two days in jail. However, community service is often substituted for jail time, according to prosecutors.

- Stephen Hunt