Lack of visibility may have contributed to drunk driving crash

When one is in an automobile accident or one’s vehicle breaks down in Louisiana, it may be safest to remain inside the vehicle. This can be particularly true at night and police advise, for safety reasons, that one should remain in the car or truck until help arrives. A man’s failure to adhere to this advice may have contributed to his death on a recent evening when he was struck by another vehicle driven by a man who was then charged with drunk driving.

A young man was in his car when it came to a stop along the side of the road. The car was partially on the shoulder and partially on the roadway. The driver got out of his car and was standing next to it when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle.

The incident occurred about 10 p.m. on a recent evening. It is not known why the car was stopped near the side of the road. The vehicle that hit the driver was driven by another man who was taken into custody after the accident, and his blood alcohol level was reportedly over twice the legal limit. The man who was hit died at the scene as a result of his injuries. The other driver was charged with vehicular homicide and driving with a suspended license.

Anyone arrested and charged with a crime in Louisiana is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. Where drunk driving is suspected, there are rules and procedures that must be followed when gathering blood alcohol evidence. A person accused of drunk driving may wish to consult with a defense attorney as he or she can inform one of one’s rights and help to assess whether that evidence was appropriately acquired. A lawyer can help in protecting one’s rights throughout the criminal justice process.