Drunk and Drugged Driving (DWI and DUI) have deadly results.
Sadly, on Wednesday, lives were forever changed by someone disregarding the law and getting behind the wheel and driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. The tragic accident happened in Roanoke County, where Marvin Heck, Jr. was looking for work. While walking on the side of Dent Road, Mr. Heck was hit by a Chevrolet Lumina driven by 55 year old Rhonda Simmons. Roanoke County police reported that Ms. Simmons veered the vehicle out of her lane and onto the shoulder where she hit Mr. Heck. Mr. Heck died as a result of his injuries. Ms. Simmons was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and taken to the Roanoke County Jail. More information on this tragedy can be found in today’s issue of The Roanoke Times.
According to the CDC, DUI has nationwide consequences:
- In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (31%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.
- Of the 1,149 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2013, 200 (17%) involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
- Of the 200 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2013, over half (121) were riding in the vehicle with the alcohol-impaired driver.
- In 2010, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. That’s one percent of the 112 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.
- Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are often used in combination with alcohol.
Throughout my twenty year career, I have successfully handled numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases involving drunk drivers and drivers under the influence of drugs. If you or a loved one has been a victim of an intoxicated driver, call The Thomson Law Firm today for a free consultation. (540) 777-4900
