Category: Drunk Driving Accidents

Many states have adopted laws that require people who are convicted of driving drunk to get ignition interlock devices, which prevent them from starting their cars if they fail a Breathalyzer test. The state of Tennessee requires ignition interlock for those caught driving with blood-alcohol levels of .15 or more.

Some people, however, want to take ignition interlock a few steps further: they want it to be installed in every car.

Like Tennessee, at least 24 other states mandate such Breathalyzer locks for those considered “hardcore” drunk drivers, including repeat offenders or those who are pulled over with BACs of .15 or higher.

There have apparently been technological advances with the devices. Some drivers used to have friends use the Breathalyzer so they could start their vehicles. However, new equipment, such as cameras, is making it difficult to get around loopholes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says its top recommendation for reducing the 11,000 annual alcohol-related traffic deaths is mandating the ignition interlock devices. That move would face opposition, however, from groups including the American Beverage Institute. That organization apparently wants judges to look at the incidents on a case-by-case basis.

The managing director of that group tells MSNBC that there should be a difference between someone who has 10 drinks and someone who is barely over the legal limit. At the lighter levels, at least, judges should be involved in the decision whether to mandate ignition interlock devices, she says.

What do you think? Should such devices be mandated for every car, or only for tough offenders? And what else can be done to prevent drunk driving accidents?

Source: MSNBC, “Curbing drunken drivers: should ignition interlock be required on every car?” Jim Gold, Jan. 5, 2012

A deadly crash in Tennessee made headlines all over the state on Christmas Eve. Four women were killed in the auto accident, and the driver behind the wheel of the vehicle that hit them is accused of drunk driving.

The man pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him in a video arraignment. Police charged him with vehicular homicide, as well as identify theft. They say he used a driver’s license belonging to someone else. Other charges include drunk driving, reckless driving, resisting official detention and speeding.

According to the Commercial Appeal, the man was driving a Chevy Silverado pickup truck on Raleigh-Millington Road at the Loosahatchie River bridge. He apparently rear-ended the sedan in which the women were riding.

The impact caused the sedan to swerve into traffic, where it was struck by another pickup truck. All four women were killed in the collision. Two of them, both in their mid-40s, were sisters, and one of the women was their niece. Two people in the other pickup truck were also hospitalized with injuries.

The 32-year-old man, who is from Jackson, is due back in court in early January, at which time a preliminary hearing will be set. He is reportedly being held without bond until then.

Authorities say the man is wanted in several other counties on various charges, including forgery, theft, driving offenses and violating his probation. Police say they also plan to continue their investigation to determine what exactly caused the crash.

Source: Commercial Appeal, “Suspect pleads not guilty in fatal Christmas Eve car crash,” Lawrence Buser, Dec. 27, 2011

Whether you are behind the wheel or taking a walk on a busy street, consuming alcohol or drugs can severely impair your reaction time and judgment. A recent auto accident in Knoxville shows the possible dangers of such intoxication. There could be serious consequences for both the driver and the pedestrian.

Police say a 53-year-old pedestrian was injured when he was struck by a vehicle in the center turn lane of Kingston Pike near its intersection with Newcom Drive on Wednesday evening. The pedestrian had apparently bought some items at a store and was returning home.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that the man was struck by a 1987 Chevrolet Camaro driven by a 27-year-old man when he maneuvered into the turn lane to turn into a restaurant parking lot.

The pedestrian was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. His condition after the accident was not reported.

Police are saying they believe drugs and alcohol may have been factors in the crash. It’s possible that both the driver and the pedestrian had consumed alcohol or drugs prior to the accident. The investigation is ongoing.

After the accident, blood samples were taken from both men to determine whether they were impaired at the time of the crash. It’s possible that charges could be brought thereafter.

There are many factors that can cause car/pedestrian accidents, such as weather conditions, bad lighting and unexpected traffic. Adding alcohol into the mix increases the odds that a crash could occur.

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel, “Drunk driver? Drunk pedestrian? Impairment an issue in W. Knox collision,” Don Jacobs, Dec. 8, 2011

When people take risks on the road, the results can be deadly. A couple from Speedwell was killed over the weekend when they were struck by another vehicle. Police say the other driver had been consuming alcohol at the time of the fatal car accident. He’s facing criminal charges, possibly related to drunk driving.

The crash happened on Highway 63 near its intersection with Quarry Road at about 7:30 p.m. on a recent evening, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. A 46-year-old man from Ewing, Virginia, reportedly crossed the center line in his Chevy sedan and collided with the couple’s Toyota Tacoma. The couple, who were both 63 years old, died as a result of their injuries, according to Knoxnews.com.

Another driver, a 28-year-old man from Harrogate who had been traveling behind the couple, apparently clipped the back of their car when the crash occurred. Based on various news reports, it’s unclear if that driver was injured.

The man who appears to have caused the crash by crossing the center line was drinking at the time of the accident, police say. He apparently was injured, but the extent of his injuries was not reported.

The investigation is ongoing. According to the THP, they were able to determine that all parties involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Officers added that due to the nature of the accident, the restraints probably did not make much difference.

Criminal charges will likely be filed soon.

Source: Clairborne Progress, “Crash kills Speedwell couple,” Maris Anders, Nov. 7, 2011