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Pennsylvania man faces vehicular homicide DUI charges

Pennsylvania drivers who are arrested after a drunk driving accident may face multiple charges, all with their own penalties. Indeed, if another person is hurt or killed in the accident, a DUI charge may be one of the lesser charges filed against the suspect.

A Pennsylvania man faces multiple charges related to what police described as a drunk driving accident which led to the death of a motorcyclist and injuries to a motorcycle passenger. According to police, the man was traveling eastbound on a Pennsylvania road when he crossed into the opposite lane and his GMC Yukon collided with a motorcycle heading west. The motorcyclist was declared dead about two hours later at an area hospital. The motorcyclist’s passenger was injured, but survived the accident.

The Yukon driver and a passenger were unhurt, police said. Police said the driver’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit.

The driver has been charged with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence, as well as aggravated vehicular assault related to the injuries to the motorcycle passenger and other charges.

Penalties for drunk driving in Pennsylvania can be severe, and especially when the defendant has prior offenses on record. For a second-time offender, a blood alcohol level over the 0.08 percent limit can mean a minimum of five days in jail, a $300 fine and other penalties.

Drunk driving is a real danger to public safety, but one of the cornerstones of our justice system is the concept that everyone deserves a defense. Because the penalties for drunk driving are so severe, it’s crucial that Pennsylvania residents have a strong defense.

Source: Montgomery News, “Homicide by vehicle DUI charges filed in fatal Bedminster accident,” Bob Keeler, July 23, 2014

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