While most people understand that drinking and driving is dangerous, people still make mistakes and underestimate the amount they have had to drink. Especially in the summer months -- where parties and get-togethers often involve alcohol -- it is easy for people to lose track of how much they have had to drink and whether they should be driving. When people make this mistake with their children in the car, the consequences can be severe.
In a recent case, an Oregon man was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants following an accident. His five-year-old son was in the car with him at the time of the accident and arrest. In this case, the police say the man was driving near the intersection of highway 20 and highway 126 when his car left the road. It went down a gravel embankment, flew for 25 feet and came to a stop on a bed of lava rocks. According to police, the man and the young boy were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident and had to be taken to a local hospital for treatment.
While both are expected to be fine, the man was charged with DUII in addition to reckless driving, driving without insurance and several other charges relating to the accident.
This man, like all those facing DUII charges, could now be sentenced with serious punishments. The potential sentence could include a large fine and time behind bars. However, this man could also face social consequences. As part of his sentence, his driver's license could be suspended or revoked. This could make it difficult for the man to participate in social activities, see his children or keep employment. He could also be sentenced to alcohol treatment or education classes. These classes could be expensive and time consuming.
The only way to avoid these consequences is to mount a criminal defense carefully evaluating and challenging the evidence presented by the police and prosecutors.
Source: The Oregonian, "Bandon-area man facing DUII, endangerment charges after crashing car with son near Bend," Sara Hottman, June 8, 2013
