On December 27, a 35-year-old male traveling Northbound in the 9200 block of Scenic Highway allegedly crossed the center line and hit another motorist head-on. He then fled the scene.
Officers subsequently found him walking in the parking lot of a near-by housing development, located on Rosenwald Road. They noted that both his breath and his clothing smelled of alcohol. The man admitted to drinking three 16-ounce beers and one-half of a half-pint bottle of gin. Investigators later found a bottle of gin in the vehicle. The driver was taken to the police station on Plank Road, where a breathalyzer was administered. His BAC was more than three times the legal limit and he was subsequently arrested.
The other motorist was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital for treatment. The male driver of the other vehicle suffered a large laceration on his head and face.
When an individual is injured in an accident that is thought to be due to another person’s negligence, the injured party may have grounds for a personal injury suit. Personal injury claims are filed in the civil court, and can be brought against an alleged perpetrator independent of any criminal charges that the individual may face. This type of civil claim is intended to compensate an injured party for the cost of medical treatment, lost wages due to time lost from work as a result of the injury, any ongoing medical problems and emotional pain and suffering. In this instance, the other driver could have long-term problems due to the head injury that could impact his functioning both at work and at home. Consulting an attorney who is familiar with personal injury due to a hit-and-run accident may be a good source of support and guidance. An attorney can assist the individual in determining the most appropriate course of action.
Source: WAFB, “Man arrested for hit and run was three times the legal limit“, Matthew Fryou, December 27, 2014
