Of those convicted of drunk driving in the U.S., on average, 50 to 75 percent continue to drive on a suspended license, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Tragedy struck in Florence, South Carolina late last month, when a 19-year-old driver who was allegedly drunk killed a bystander while evading the police. According to WISTV-TV, the incident began around 5 a.m. on a Wednesday when the police received a call about burglary and gunfire taking place on June Lane near the Church Hill apartments.
Reportedly, the alleged drunk driver’s vehicle first sped away from police after a cruiser approached it with its blue lights flashing and sirens blaring. The officer recognized the vehicle from a police dispatch about the car fleeing the burglary scene.
During the chase, the burglary suspect’s vehicle veered off the right side of the road as it approached McLeod Regional Medical Center, resulting in multiple collisions involving two other vehicles and the McLeod’s west parking deck. A 33-year-old occupant of one of the vehicles the 19-year-old driver hit was killed in the three-car wreck. The suspected drunk driver and another person involved in the crash had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.
The 19-year-old faces several charges following the incident, including:
- First degree burglary
- Weapons/discharging firearms into a dwelling
- No S.C. driver license
- First degree assault and battery
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of violent offense
- Drugs/simple possession of marijuana
- Second degree assault and battery
- Traffic/failure to stop for a blue light, great bodily harm results
- Felony driving under the influence (DUI) involving death
If the Drunk Driver Who Hurt Me Faces Criminal Charges, Will That Help Me?
Unfortunately, as attorney Jenna W Garraux explains in the video below, while drunk drivers should be punished to the full extent of the law, a criminal suit won’t provide the money victims need for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost pay from missing work and pain and suffering. To do that, victims must file a civil suit.
Stewart Law Offices – South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers
Source: http://www.wistv.com/story/27150385/police-bystander-killed-in-3-car-crash-after-chase-in-florence
Note: This information is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. You can only receive legal advice by meeting with an attorney.
