LINCOLNTON, N.C. -- A former Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy convicted of drunken driving has been rehired by the department.

Bruce White was rehired as a lake patrol officer on July 3, the Lincoln Times News reported.

White, a former narcotics officer, resigned in 2007 after he crashed his vehicle into a home. His blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

He was off-duty at the time of the crash.

Lincoln County Sheriff Tim Daugherty told the Lincoln Times News that he rehired White after he completed his court-ordered community service, settled with the homeowner and was granted a limited license, which allows him to drive to work.

“... Some people will question [White’s] ‘credibility;’ however, he did not shun responsibility for his actions. He admitted his mistake and immediately began working hard to correct his mistake,” Daugherty told the Times News. “I believe he deserves a second chance. I have personally spoken with Deputy White and he understands my position.”