Driving Under the Influence Includes Substance Abuse

After a recent fatal collision, a man pled guilty to driving under the influence of heroin. His SUV rammed into the rear end of a car on a snow-covered highway, killing an 11-year-old boy and severely injuring another individual. The force of the impact then caused the automobile to crash into two other vehicles.

The crashes occurred in the early evening hours when the man’s Ford Expedition rear-ended the Chevrolet Cavalier. The 11-year-old backseat passenger was killed on impact, and an 18-year-old front seat passenger was seriously injured. The Cavalier was then propelled into two parked vehicles, both of whom were stopped close to the scene of another, unrelated accident.

The 29-year-old man pled guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI, one Class A felony, one Class 2 felony, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operation of a vehicle while uninsured. After the crash, urine tests revealed heroin metabolite in the man’s system, spurring the aggravated DUI charges. The case will reach court in March 2014. The driver faces probation or three to 14 years in jail and a fine of up to $25,000.

Heroin use and abuse concerns more than the personal choices of drug users. On the road, drug use becomes a negligently egregious act that may cause needless death.

Lee, Gober and Reyna – If you need a personal injury lawyer or help with an auto accident, motorcycle accident, wrongful death, or burn injury case, contact Lee, Gober and Reyna by visiting http://www.lgrlawfirm.com or calling 512.478.8080

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