Poughkeepsie readers may have heard of a recent accident in the nearby town of Gallatin. Five teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19, including the driver of the vehicle, were hospitalized after the Toyota Camry in which they were traveling went off the road and rolled over into a nearby wooded area.
Police say charges are pending against the driver. Considering the severity of the injuries the teenagers sustained, it is likely that he will be charged with at least one serious traffic offense.
Three of the five victims suffered fractures to their spines; one victim suffered a broken femur, and the fifth victim suffered a head injury. The New York State Police have stated that none of the occupants of the vehicle appeared to be wearing a seat belt.
Authorities allege that the accident was caused by excessive speed when going around a bend in the road, and neither drugs nor alcohol have been linked to the case. However, many serious accidents like this are suspected to have involved alcohol. In those cases, it is important that the driver fully understand his or her rights and options.
New York police take drunk driving very seriously. However, such an act is not always as intentional as they make it out to be. Many people realize that it’s easy to have one drink to many and still feel like you can safely drive. Police, however, don’t take that as an excuse. If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, it’s important to know that you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
Source: NYSPNews.com, “Serious Accident in Gallatin,” Oct. 14, 2012.
