When a person is driving while intoxicated, they put themselves and others at risk of serious injuries and death. It’s because of that problem that so many intoxicated drivers end up behind bars.
The police want to make sure they can’t hurt others, but they also need to know the individual will get home safely. Unfortunately, charges carry a heavy burden as well, which is why a defense attorney is someone many people with pending DUIs work with.
When someone who drinks and drives does end up in a crash, it can result in life-altering consequences. Take, for example, this story about a 28-year-old man who is now facing motor vehicle homicide charges along with charges for driving under the influence. If he is convicted, he could face up to 23 years in prison.
The man caused a head-on collision. He has argued that, while he was intoxicated to a degree, he believed that an abandoned road was part of the westbound lanes. Instead, it meant he had actually crossed the center line. He struck a Mitsubishi head-on, causing the driver to die and the passenger to be in critical condition.
Blood alcohol tests showed that the man was just at or above the legal limit, testing .08 and .09 percent. A witness further shored up the evidence by stating that they smelled alcohol on the man’s breath following the crash.
The circumstances of this case are unusual because of the abandoned highway that borders the road. It is possible to be confused about the layout, which adds additional concerns to the man’s argument for innocence.
