Nicholas County's prosecuting attorney was charged with drunken driving Sunday after he wrecked his car in Webster County, authorities said.

Mark D. Hudnall wrecked his car in a single-vehicle accident near Diana in Webster County, Webster County Prosecuting Attorney Dwayne VanDevender said Monday afternoon.

Hudnall was charged by citation at the scene around 4 p.m., VanDevender said. He said he didn't know if Hudnall had been arraigned in magistrate court yet.

"The deputy let his daughter take him home," VanDevender said.

Hudnall was elected Nicholas County prosecutor in 2004 by a narrow margin over James "P.K." Milam. He is running for re-election this year, and faces Milam and Keith W. McMillion in the Democratic primary next month. No Republicans filed to run for the office.

Hudnall declined to comment or say whether he had been placed on leave when reached at home Monday afternoon.

A woman who answered the telephone at the Nicholas County prosecutor's office said there would be no comment on the case.

Nicholas County Commissioner Spurgeon Hinkle said the commission would have to seek legal advice outside of the prosecutor's office to determine what, if anything, they could do.

"As far as I know, we have no power over any elected official," he said. "I don't know if we have the power to force a leave of absence. I'm just not sure."

Commission President Tom Blankenship also said he didn't know if anything could be done. The commission meets May 7.

"I hate it for Mark, for his family," Hinkle said. "I hate it for the county, I hate it for the embarrassment. ... It is something we are definitely going to have to face."

To contact staff writer Gary Harki, please use e-mail or call 348-5163.

Nicholas County's prosecuting attorney was charged with drunken driving Sunday after he wrecked his car in Webster County, authorities said.

Mark D. Hudnall wrecked his car in a single-vehicle accident near Diana in Webster County, Webster County Prosecuting Attorney Dwayne VanDevender said Monday afternoon.

Hudnall was charged by citation at the scene around 4 p.m., VanDevender said. He said he didn't know if Hudnall had been arraigned in magistrate court yet.

"The deputy let his daughter take him home," VanDevender said.

Hudnall was elected Nicholas County prosecutor in 2004 by a narrow margin over James "P.K." Milam. He is running for re-election this year, and faces Milam and Keith W. McMillion in the Democratic primary next month. No Republicans filed to run for the office.

Hudnall declined to comment or say whether he had been placed on leave when reached at home Monday afternoon.

A woman who answered the telephone at the Nicholas County prosecutor's office said there would be no comment on the case.

Nicholas County Commissioner Spurgeon Hinkle said the commission would have to seek legal advice outside of the prosecutor's office to determine what, if anything, they could do.

"As far as I know, we have no power over any elected official," he said. "I don't know if we have the power to force a leave of absence. I'm just not sure."

Commission President Tom Blankenship also said he didn't know if anything could be done. The commission meets May 7.

"I hate it for Mark, for his family," Hinkle said. "I hate it for the county, I hate it for the embarrassment. ... It is something we are definitely going to have to face."

To contact staff writer Gary Harki, please use e-mail or call 348-5163.