Here in Philadelphia, the legal penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol can be extremely severe. The consequences depend on several variables including any previous DUI convictions and the level of alcohol measured in the driver’s system at the time of the arrest. If the DUI charge results from an accident in which someone was injured, the penalties for a conviction can be harsher.
Last week, a 33-year-old man was arrested on drunk driving charges in Overbrook. Early reports state that the man had been driving his Ford pickup truck west on Columbia Avenue when he allegedly drove past a red light on 61st Street and ended up crashing into two parked cars and a 13-year-old boy.
The boy reportedly suffered head injuries as well as lacerations to his legs and hips. He was taken to a children’s hospital, where he was reportedly in a stable condition.
The driver was arrested and charged with DUI shortly after the car incident. A news report by the Philadelphia Daily News does not indicate why police believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
When people are charged with a DUI, especially after a car accident, they might tend to feel that the evidence is weighted against them. However, those charged with drunk driving or DUI need to be fully aware of their legal rights and options under the law. Even in cases where drivers fail Breathalyzers or blood tests, they still have legal rights that must be protected as the case is resolved.
Source: Philadelphia Daily News, “Police: DUI driver injures 13-year-old in Overbrook,” Morgan Zalot, Sept. 25, 2012
