Driving while drunk is never a good idea. The impaired judgment and lessened motor skills that may accompany intoxication can turn a simple ride home into a serious car accident without warning. A young Wisconsin woman recently learned this lesson firsthand when she and three others were injured in an early morning car accident.
According to reports, the woman was drunk, with a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit, when the car she was driving collided into a utility pole. The woman was seriously injured. Three people who were riding in the car at the time also suffered multiple injuries.
One of the passengers suffered several broken bones, including a cracked skull. A second passenger suffered substantial jaw injuries. Another suffered a fractured foot. An update on their conditions was not available at the time of this report.
The woman received several penalties during her sentencing. She lost her license for four months and is required to pay just over $1,300 in fees in addition to any necessary restitution. She also had to write a letter outlining the consequences of her actions — both personally and to others.
One additional penalty assessed was that the woman be required to install an ignition interlock device in her car. This device requires a breath sample from the driver that is below the legal limit before the vehicle can be turned on. It also safely administers tests during driving to ensure the driver has not consumed more alcohol than is legally allowed.
As the woman works her way through the Wisconsin legal system and deals with the aftereffects of her car accident, her passengers will surely continue to move toward recovery. As they continue to heal, they may want to consider a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who was responsible for the car accident. If successful, they could receive a financial settlement that would help offset their medical expenses and any lost wages from work they have missed.
Source: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, Woman gets 120 days for drunken driving crash, No author, Dec. 10, 2013