If the authorities suspect that a person was intoxicated at the time of an accident, charges against the accused can accrue quickly. It is important to ensure that the rights of the accused are protected in such cases, and those facing DUI charges should be fully aware of their rights.
A 33-year-old woman from Murfreesboro now faces a charge of vehicular homicide after she allegedly struck and killed a 13-year-old boy who was reportedly attempting to change a flat tire on the shoulder of Interstate 24. The mother of the teen was also struck by the vehicle. The accident occurred in mid-April.
Testimony in General Sessions Court indicated that the accused driver had drugs in her system on the day of the accident. The record also shows that authorities claim she was intoxicated at the time of her arrest.
During the court session, a witness claimed to have seen the accident and followed the woman’s car while alerting authorities. The Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the alert and was apparently responsible for conducting the drug and alcohol testing. The case was bound for the grand jury after the court session, and bond was set at $250,000 with a stipulation that the accused must wear a GPS bracelet if allowed to leave on bond. The woman also faces charges of DUI and leaving the scene of a crime.
DUI charges are often delivered alongside those of vehicular assault or vehicular homicide when a serious or fatal injury occurs in an accident and police believe alcohol was involved. Ensuring that all testing and evaluation was performed in a legal and acceptable manner is paramount for defending against these charges.
Source: Murfreesboro Post, "Woman who killed teen on I-24 has case bound to grand jury," Sam Stockard, May 23, 2014