A car accident can happen in Denver and throughout Colorado for a seemingly endless number of reasons. One egregious cause of a crash is when it is due to a drunk driver. When drivers make the decision to drink and get behind the wheel, those who are unfortunate enough to encounter them can face serious injuries and death because of it. For people who have been harmed or lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash, there will be a lot to think about in the aftermath. Since it will be an emotional time, it is wise to have legal advice on how best to move forward and if a lawsuit should be considered.
A wrong-way car crash led to the death of a 22-year-old man and injured two others. The accident happened in the evening at around 6:20 p.m. The 50-year-old driver of a 2006 Jeep SUV went into the opposite lanes of the road and hit the vehicle the decedent was driving, a 2008 Suzuki SUV. He was declared dead at the site of the crash. A 59-year-old woman was a passenger in the vehicle and was seriously hurt. She was flown to a hospital for surgery. Another person was in the vehicle and suffered minor injuries.
As law enforcement investigated, they found the driver of the Jeep to be slurring her words. She was unsteady as she tried to stand. They also smelled alcohol when speaking to her. She refused to submit to sobriety tests. She has been convicted of drunk driving infractions in the past. After she was taken to the hospital for an examination, she was arrested and charged with DUI vehicular homicide.
While other dangerous behaviors behind the wheel such as distracted driving, speeding and negligence are garnering more attention, drunk driving is still one of the riskiest acts that a driver can take part in. People are placed in substantial danger when there is a drunk driver on the road. An accident can cause massive injuries with the accompanying medical costs and long-term damage. There can be lost wages and lost companionship. When there is a death, the family will need to learn how to move forward without a loved one. As the investigation into this apparent drunk driving accident continues, the family of the man who died and those who were hurt should make certain their interests are protected with help from an experienced attorney.
