According to personal injury lawyers, drunk driving rates have been declining for decades, but not every driver has gotten the memo. Sadly, too many people still get behind the wheel after a night of drinking. 2015 has already seen a rash of truly horrific drunk driving accidents, including these four tragedies, which would give even the most seasoned car accident lawyers pause. If you need a reminder of the deadly consequences of drunk driving, then think about the families who suffer because of these accidents:
4. Somerset, Pennsylvania
A drunk teen in Pennsylvania lowered the bar for teens everywhere this June. State Troopers claim they found the teen attempting to run his own DUI checkpoint across State Route 601. He was immediately arrested for drunk driving, in addition to impersonating a police officer.
3. Alcoa, Tennessee
In Blount County, Tennessee a woman was charged with a DUI and vehicular assault after police allege she crashed into two parked cars and a pedestrian. Sadly, such a crash is not uncommon on U.S. roads. What makes this case unique? A police K-9 unit found her hiding in a nearby doghouse and bleeding from the car crash injuries.
2. Dallas, Texas
In May of this year, road worker Bernard Armstrong was killed while trying to keep other drivers safe. Armstrong was driving a vehicle with flashing lights to warn drivers of road work when he was killed in an accident with a Dallas woman.
The woman’s car accident lawyer claims she was not responsible for the fatal accident, but police tell a different story. Allegedly, the woman told police she was “wealthy” and that they would “regret” arresting her. After saying a breathalyzer “crossed the line” and refusing to blow, the driver repeatedly asked about the fate of her dogs, not the human she crashed into. Again, her car accident lawyer claims she’s innocent of manslaughter, although she has been arrested for drunk driving in the past.
1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A Florida woman made international news this year when court documents revealed the horrifying message she sent immediately before causing a fatal car crash. Evidence presented by car accident lawyers showed that Kayla Mendoza, 20, tweeted “2 drunk 2 care” right before driving her car the wrong way down an expressway, killing two college students. Mendoza had a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.15 at the time and was sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Never drink and drive.