Personal Injury Law

DUI Driver Hits Pedestrian In Carroll County

By M. Brandon Smith

Driving Under The Influence
Every time a driver gets behind the wheel there is potential for an accident to happen. That potential exists whether or not the driver drinks before getting behind the wheel. When a driver drinks, however, there is a greatly increased risk of serious and potentially deadly accidents. So what can happen when people drink and drive?

Injuries Suffered
Police are still in the process of investigating a crash in which a 19-year-old pedestrian was struck by a motorist suspected of driving drunk. According to a Carroll County Sheriff's Office press release, the 19-year-old female was found unconscious after being hit on the 3600 block of Franklinville Road near Md. 26 in the Taylorsville area. She was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore because of life-threatening injuries. As of late Thursday night she was in critical condition.

Who Was Allegedly Responsible?
Sheriff's office investigators determined that a 34-year-old man was traveling south along Franklinville Road when his 2001 Dodge pickup struck the 19-year-old female. He was reportedly unsure what he struck. Later, after being unable to locate anything, he returned home and called police to report the incident.

Subsequently, he was arrested after deputies smelled the odor of alcohol on his breath. The man also happened to be over the legal blood alcohol limit. In fact, his blood alcohol level was 0.13, according to a sobriety test conducted by police.

As a result, he was charged with one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol per se, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving while impaired by alcohol. The man was later released on $10,000 bail.

Conclusion
In the situation described above the investigation is still ongoing. Regardless of whether alcohol was involved here, the danger of drinking and driving is undeniable. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle should not be taken lightly. It is irresponsible to jeopardize the lives of others by drinking and driving. If the allegations above are true the driver should not get away with his actions. Drinking and driving cannot be tolerated.

Full post as published by Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer on February 28, 2011 (boomark / email).