The irrational decision to drive drunk creates instantaneous danger for the perpetrator and everyone around them. Because impairment occurs with only minimal alcohol consumption, the risk of error grows exponentially with every drink.
The outcome of DUI-related accidents results in perilous consequences for everyone involved. Victims may face a lifetime of chronic pain and injury or death. People charged with DUI have the weight of their actions to face for the remainder of their life.
Bedford man pleads guilty
For one man in Bedford, Virginia, his decision to drive after consuming too much alcohol ultimately cost him the life of a friend. On March 2, 2020, the man picked up his friend and proceeded to drive on U.S. 460 traveling north. Witness accounts suggest the man’s vehicle clocked speeds of over 100 mph. At some point, he lost control of his car and it landed in the grassy median of the highway after flipping several times.
During an investigation on the vehicle’s airbags, evidence suggested the man was traveling at 116 mph at the time of the accident. The man’s blood alcohol content reading of .20 greatly exceeded Virginia’s legal limit of .08. He received medical treatment at a local hospital, but his friend died at the scene. The man pled guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter. The outcome of his trial and his recommended prison sentence is not yet known.
Overcoming an oversight
When people choose to drive under the influence of alcohol, one lapse in judgment does not have to determine the remainder of their life. With adequate support, they may have ample opportunity to move past their oversight and secure a positive outcome. Their desire to show remorse and commit to developing new, more responsible driving habits may support their endeavor to regain the trust and respect of those they love.