Gary Collins Leaves Scene of Jackson, Miss Accident, was Alcohol Involved?

Gary Collins, the affable TV host of the Miss America Pageant and the talk show Hour Magazine, has been accused of leaving the scene of an accident which occurred on November 2 in Jackson, Mississippi.

According to local WAPT of Jackson, Collins rear-ended a car driven by Cheryl Hales and also occupied by her child on Tuesday afternoon on the Frontage Road near Interstate 55 and apparently left before police arrived.

Cheryl Hales' husband, Perry, spoke with a local reporter and stated, "He wasn't concerned for my wife's well-being. He wasn't concerned for my child's well-being. He simply walked over got in his vehicle and left, and I'm a little angry about this."

It was reported that Cheryl Hales told police that Collins was "clearly intoxicated" when he emerged from his car. Hale also said he asked "What are we waiting for?" before getting back into his vehicle and leaving.

The reporter of WAPT also spoke with Gary Collins who admitted what happened and that he indeed drove away. Collins also stated the Hale family did not approach him immediately after the accident.

Speculation as to whether or not the TV actor had been drinking is also in play. Collins' past includes 3 arrests for DUI in 10 years (resulting in two convictions and one release) according to TMZ.com.

The gossip website also stated that Collins that the DUI incident in 2007 resulted in the death of man but it was determined that Collins was not at fault. He did plead 'no contest' and went to jail for 4 days.

Collins starred in the 1972 television series The Sixth Sense, in 1974's Born Free series, and also has starred on many other shows including Perry Mason, The Love Boat, Friends, and JAG.

Sources: http://www.wapt.com/r/25624513/detail.html, http://www.tmz.com/2010/11/03/gary-collins-car-accident-hit-and-run-drunk-driving-miss-america-host-crash-mississippi-arrest-warrant/