An arrest for drunk driving is serious enough by itself. However, if a driver is also involved in an accident, the potential consequences may be even more severe. An accident that results in the death of someone else can lead to charges of criminal vehicular homicide, a felony charge potentially carrying significant penalties.
One example of this type of situation involved a 28-year-old Minnesota man who was driving westbound through a residential neighborhood when his vehicle allegedly struck a 16-year-old boy on a bicycle. Unfortunately, the collision was severe enough to cause fatal injuries, and the teen died at the scene. Witnesses say that although the boy and two friends were riding their bikes in the roadway, they were not impeding traffic.
Several responding officers claimed to have smelled marijuana on the driver, who reportedly admitted having a beer at a friend’s house but denied smoking marijuana. He apparently offered that he had taken a number of unspecified prescription medications. A preliminary test showed the driver’s blood alcohol content to be .011, which is significantly below the legal limit of .08. However, a drug recognition expert examined the driver and noted observing numerous indicators of impairment by drugs, including dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure.
Police charged the driver with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. Because of the driver’s previous convictions for alcohol-related crimes, he has a lot at stake facing the current charges. However, even a first offense vehicular homicide conviction can result in life-changing consequences. It is wise to approach the defense of these charges with the assistance of a skilled and experienced Minnesota attorney.
