The combination of alcohol and driving can lead to tragic results in a variety of ways. Alcohol can interfere with reflexes, the driver’s ability to control the car, and the driver’s awareness of other vehicles traveling on the same road. A tragic accident that killed a family of three from Bonne Terre shows how alcohol can prevent a driver from staying alert to the position of other vehicles.
The accident
The accident occurred on April 14 at about 10:00 p.m. A man driving a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze was heading east on Highway 30. The three victims were ahead of the Chevrolet and were traveling in a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. Police said that the driver of the Chevrolet failed to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles and slammed into the rear of the Pontiac.
The two adults in the Pontiac were riding in the front seats, while their infant child was in the back seat. The young child was riding in a child seat, and the child’s father, who was driving, was wearing a seat belt. The victims’ vehicle apparently caught fire in the collision, and all three occupants died at the scene.
The driver’s admissions
According to police, the driver of the Chevrolet admitted to having “seven shots of Crown and water” prior to the accident. He agreed to a breathalyzer test, and his blood alcohol content was 0.192%, more than twice the legal limit in Missouri. Police alleged that the driver of the Chevrolet “failed to keep a proper lookout ahead.” Both vehicles left the highway and hit trees. The driver of the Cruze said that he “blinked and the next thing he knew was his vehicle was in (the) ditch.”
Now what?
The prosecutor charged the driver of the Chevrolet with four misdemeanors, including DUI, possession of marijuana and driving in a reckless manner. The defendant will be required to enter a plea to the four counts. Anyone who faces such charges may receive severe punishment if convicted. A sentence may include loss of driving privileges, incarceration and a significant fine. An experienced criminal defense attorney can provide an useful evaluation of the evidence, suggest legal arguments that can reduce sentences and, if appropriate, negotiate an acceptable plea agreement with the prosecution.