Purceville Virginia crash the result of Defendant’s THIRD DUI

When the Loudoun Times-Mirror reported December 28, 2011 that a dangerous driver plead guilty to DUI and involuntary manslaughter in Loudoun County Circuit Court and that it was his “third DUI charge in five years,” car crash lawyer Doug Landau wondered how this man even had a license to drive BEFORE the fatal crash that killed his stepfather. Usually a Virginia driver will be assessed points as the result of a moving violation, in addition to a fine, court costs, and, in the case of drunk driving, ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Program) attendance. Too many points, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) will suspend or revoke an operators license to drive.

In the Loudon County case, the Defendant driver denied drinking, but admitted taking Valium. He changed his story later and said he drank two 12-ounce Miller High Life beers. The Defendant had taken his father to the grocery store in Leesburg. But he had taken his beer with him, and was drinking it while waiting ! They then left the store in their Ford Bronco, went barreling down Harpers Ferry Road and struck another vehicle before coming to rest on its roof. The Defendant driver failed three field sobriety tests and was then arrested. The dangerous drunk driver was taken to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center where he blew a 0.12 on the breathalyzer test. The legal limit in the Commonwealth of Virginia is 0.08 for legal adults. For underage drinkers, any alcohol can lead to an arrest.

If it turns out that this Defendant’s license was suspended or revoked, he could face additional jail time on top of the DUI and the Involuntary Manslaughter charges. Luckily, the people in the car he struck were able to walk away from the scene unhurt. If you or someone you know or care for has been injured as the result of a drunk driver, car crash, intoxicated truck operator or distracted motorist and there are questions about what laws apply, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once.