Local police have been busy investigating a fatal collision that occurred on Sunday morning and they now believe that the responsible driver may have been drunk at the time of the crash.
The collision occurred on westbound I-10 near 67th Avenue shortly before 9:00 a.m. Witnesses reported seeing a passenger car that was excessively speeding and swerving in and out of traffic as it traveled westbound. The passenger car pulled behind a pickup truck and struck the rear of the pickup truck at full speed, causing the driver of the pickup truck to lose control.
A 28-year-old woman was behind the wheel of the truck at the time of impact. The truck ran off the road towards the median between west and eastbound traffic on I-10 and rolled over, coming to a rest on its roof. The woman was thrown from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the passenger car was injured in the accident. When authorities responded to the crash, the 27-year-old male driver was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment where he is expected to recover. It is not clear whether the male driver has been charged with any crimes but authorities believe that he was likely impaired at the time of the crash. If medical tests confirm this, the driver could face serious charges, including jail time, for his part in the accident that led to a woman’s death.
Arizona has some of the strictest laws against drunk driving in the nation and some of the harshest penalties for those driver who choose to operate a vehicle under the influence. Nonetheless, thousands in Arizona choose to drink and drive every year. Statistics show that nearly 20 percent of all fatal automobile collisions involve a drunk driver, meaning that driving under the influence is not only illegal but incredibly dangerous.
Yet despite these risks, drivers continue to drive drunk. After an accident, many say that the threat to the safety of others never crossed their minds. While criminal prosecution is often thought of by drunk drivers, causing injury or death to others is considered much less often. But reality shows that not only are these drivers likely to face criminal charges, they are also likely to hurt those around them and subject themselves to civil claims for damages.
If you have been hurt in an accident with a drunk driver or if your loved one has been killed, you may have the right to bring a claim against the drunk driver for your damages. At Abels & Annes, we are Phoenix drunk driving injury lawyers with decades worth of experience representing the victims of DUI accidents. Call us today at (602) 819-5191 or toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER and let us provide you with a free telephone consultation regarding your case and your rights.
Prior Blog Entries:
Road Rage Crash Kills Innocent Woman in Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 24, 2013.
Pedestrian Mooning Passing Cars Hit and Killed by Drunk Driver, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 22, 2013.
Resources:
Impairment a factor in deadly I-10 crash; 28-year-old female killed, by Josh Frigerio, ABC15.com, published July 28, 2013.