A police officer El Mirage recently noticed a car that was traveling about five miles and hour and weaving back and forth across the road. Suspicious, the officer initiated a stop of the driver to investigate. The 36-year-old driver reportedly did not realize an officer had pulled over his vehicle until the cop knocked on the driver’s window near Grand Avenue and Thunderbird Road. The man did not have his hands on the steering wheel and hit a guardrail along the road, according to court documents.
Officers suspected driver was under the influence of alcohol by his actions and also by the fact that there was an open bottle of vodka within the driver’s reach. When they attempted to arrest the man, he had to be helped from his car because he was not able to get out on his own.
A blood alcohol content was taken and showed the man had a BAC of 0.377 percent, more than four times the legal limit of 0.08. The driver has been charged with extreme driving under the influence along with other counts that have not been specified. One count may be related to the fact that the man reportedly was driving on a suspended license.
The driver has two prior convictions for driving under the influence, one in 2010 and one in 2012. Police have not stated whether this is why the man’s license was suspended at the time of this recent arrest.
Fortunately a police officer noticed this driver’s erratic behavior before a crash occurred that injured or killed someone. Any driver under the influence of alcohol is a threat to himself and others but as the alcohol content in a driver’s blood increases, so does the threat he poses. Here, the driver’s blood alcohol level was so high that he could not get out of his own car. There is no reason this man should have been behind the wheel.
Alcohol-related accidents are often severe and account for a disproportionately high number of traffic fatalities. In 2012, alcohol contributed to 5.26 percent of all traffic accidents and 34.14 percent of all traffic fatalities. This means that alcohol played a part in a small number of accidents but that often, those accidents resulted in the death of a driver or passenger in one of the vehicles involved.
In addition to any crimes that a drunk driver may be charged with, the driver may face civil claims for damages from those that were injured in an accident. These claims may seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, or the loss of the life of a loved one, among other damages.
If you have been hurt in an accident with a drunk driver or if a loved one has been hurt or killed, you have rights and you may have a claim for your losses. Let the Phoenix drunk driving injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. provide you with a free case consultation today at (602) 819-5191 regarding your accident and your damages. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we only represent the victims of accidents and we stand by our clients through the duration of their case. Call us today and let us help you get a recovery you deserve.
Prior Blog Entries:
2 Dead After Tucson Car Crash, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 2, 2013.
Phoenix To Get a Bike Share Program, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 29, 2013.
Resources:
Valley man arrested for extreme DUI in El Mirage, by Rudy Rivas, ABC15.com, published June 26, 2013.
Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2012, Arizona Department of Transportation, published May 31, 2013.