Police Officer Injured In Crash Involving Intoxicated Driver
When people drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they try to avoid interaction with police so they can get to their destination without getting caught and arrested. Then there are those who literally run right into police vehicles, instantly incriminating themselves.
The latter is what recently happened in Houston. An intoxicated driver caused a chain-reaction crash with two police vehicles. This caused the suspect to get arrested.
The crash happened at Wilcrest and Briar Forest drives in West Houston. The drunk driver rear-ended a Houston Police Department patrol vehicle at the intersection. The impact caused the police vehicle to rear-end a Houston Police Department patrol vehicle in front of it.
A police officer suffered minor injuries. It is unknown if the drunk driver suffered any injuries, but they were arrested for driving while intoxicated.
Drunk Driving Statistics and Consequences
Anyone can drive drunk, but those between the ages of 21 and 25 are most likely to be intoxicated while behind the wheel. Another interesting statistic is that one-third of drunk drivers are repeat offenders. They have prior DUI convictions.
Drinking and driving can lead to many serious consequences. Many people underestimate the sedative effects of alcohol. Alcohol can impair a driver’s decision-making skills and coordination. A driver who is impaired by alcohol use cannot make quick decisions. They lack the ability to avoid an accident or even perform routine driving maneuvers.
Of course, there are physical consequences to deal with. Drunk driving can lead to a variety of injuries, including broken bones, paralysis, brain damage, internal injuries, disfigurement, and even death.
There are many legal consequences as well. Drunk driving is also a crime, and while it may only be a misdemeanor, it comes with serious penalties. A person convicted of a DUI in Texas may face punishments such as:
- Fines
- Driver’s license suspension/revocation
- Imprisonment
- Vehicle impoundment
- Community service
- Ignition interlock device restrictions
- Alcohol abuse evaluations
- Mandatory completion of alcohol abuse treatment programs
Prior DUI convictions on a person’s criminal record or a felony DUI — in which a person is seriously injured or killed — can increase these penalties.
There are emotional burdens to deal with as well. A person who drives drunk and injures or kills someone due to their reckless actions must live with that burden for the rest of their life. That can be hard to deal with — even harder than dealing with a physical injury.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Drinking and driving is a serious issue that can cause a person to get arrested and face significant consequences. This is especially true if an intoxicated driver hits a police vehicle.
Unfortunately, Texas has a high rate of drunk driving and associated accidents. Protect yourself with help from a Houston drunk driving accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We’ll determine liability and compensation. Schedule a free consultation with our office today by filling out the online form or calling 281-347-3247.
Source:
abc13.com/suspected-intoxicated-driver-arrested-hits-police-car-houston-officer-hospitalized-dwi-suspect-rear-ends-hpd-unit/12882901/
