Charges are pending for a 23-year-old allegedly drunk driver who caused a fatal crash Nov. 30 in Queens. The fiery car accident occurred around 1 a.m. after a 2006 black Ford sedan slammed into a 2009 Saturn at the corner of 98th Street and 159th Avenue in Howard Beach, according to authorities. After the crash, the Ford proceeded to hit a parked car and careen through a brick partition in front of a house, exploding into flames.
The Saturn was sent spinning out of control down the street. After being extricated from his smashed vehicle, the 39-year-old driver received CPR from first responders. He was then taken immediately to Jamaica Hospital, where he succumbed to his severe injuries. His passenger, 37, was also taken there but was listed in stable condition.
According to witnesses, the allegedly drunk driver stated he ran a red light when no red light was at that intersection. He then rushed to aid the individuals in the car after the wreck. He supposedly had to take his shoe off because he was limping. He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene, but his blood was drawn later at the same hospital the others were taken to.
Depending on the results of his toxicology tests, charges for the driver who caused this accident may include vehicular manslaughter or a felony DUI charge. The penalties for such offenses could range anywhere from driver’s license suspension and fines to jail time and probation. A criminal defense attorney may be able to help those accused of DUI fight their charges. An attorney could argue against the protocol taken by police when obtaining blood tests or use witness testimony to prove the driver was not completely at fault in order to get their charges reduced or dismissed.
Source: NY Daily News, “‘Drunk’ driver kills man, injures another in horrific Queens crash: cops“, Joseph Stepansky, Barry Paddock, November 30, 2013
