A drunk and texting driver allegedly drove his SUV straight into a utility pole in a recent accident, taking the life of his passenger. According to The Sun Chronicle, the accident landed the 20-year-old in jail and he will be required to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet after an innocent plea was entered on his behalf in Wrentham District Court.
It all happened around 2:00 a.m. when the young driver lost control of his vehicle. The passenger side of it slammed into the utility pole and into a cement bridge near City Mills Pond, according to court records. The 24-year-old passenger was taken to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, where he was later pronounced dead after suffering a severe head injury.
Our Norfolk car accident lawyers understand that the two were heading home from a birthday party when the accident happened. Unfortunately, these young drivers face some serious risks for drunk driving car accidents, although they’re not even old enough to legally consume alcohol. Once the accident happened, a witness reported that the driver exited his vehicle and started throwing paraphernalia into the pond, including a marijuana pipe, cans and bottles.
Although admitting to being the designated driver, the young driver reported consuming six beers and smoking some marijuana before hopping in the driver’s seat. He reportedly failed a number of sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer.
Having a designated driver means that the driver needs to remain completely sober. A designated driver is NOT the person in your group who has had the LEAST to drink.
Advocates with Faces of Drunk Driving are here with a few other safety tips that can help to eliminate these kinds of accidents from our roadways:
-Never drink and drive. Even if you’ve had one drink, you should never get behind the wheel. You’re better safe than sorry.
-Take a turn and be the designated driver. These kinds of drivers are key in keep our streets safe.
-Make sure you plan ahead. You should always have a plan BEFORE the drinking begins. This plan should involve how you’re getting home safely.
-If you find yourself without a safe and sober driver to get you home, consider other forms of safe transportation, including the bus, the T, a cab or a friend or a family member.
-Talk with your friends and family members. Share these tips and the risks involved with drunk driving with the ones you love. Help to spread the word!
-If you believe you spot a drunk driver out on our roadways, contact authorities by calling 9-1-1. Your call could prevent an accident and quite possibly save a life.
In the state of Massachusetts, there were close to 150 people killed in alcohol-related car accidents in 2011. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these accidents accounted for close to 40 percent of all of the fatal accidents reported during the year. That’s a sad fact when you consider that these accidents are completely preventable.
If you or a loved one was involved in a drunk driving accident in Massachusetts, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
A New Option to Test Your BAC Before Heading Home, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, August 10, 2013
Wrong Way Drunk Driver Blamed for Fatal New England Traffic Accident, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, August 5, 2013