Driving while intoxicated has been linked to many wrong-way accidents on America’s highways in the past several years. This is especially prevalent late at night, when the posted signage is not as apparent as it would be during the day. Recently, police allege that drunk driving caused a serious accident in Georgia.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, a 24-year-old man was driving a sedan southbound on a northbound lane of I-75/I-85 in the heart of Atlanta on Tuesday, October 11. It is uncertain at this time how the driver of the sedan came to be traveling the wrong way on the interstate. At around 3:00 a.m., a 69-year-old tractor-trailer driver saw the sedan and attempted to avoid a collision.
Unfortunately, the driver of the 18-wheeler was unable to avoid the other car and the two vehicles crashed head-on with each other in the middle of the interstate. The driver of the tractor-trailer was injured in the crash and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. The driver of the sedan seemed uninjured, but was also transported to the hospital. He was later charged with driving under the influence, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving without a license and reckless driving.
In similar car accidents, those accused of drunk driving generally seek to ensure that their rights are protected, and that they are treated equitably by authorities while they go through the legal process. Those accused of similar crimes may want to seek legal representation from an attorney who has experience in criminal law and defending cases involving drunk driving. A Georgia lawyer will be in the best position to understand the local and statewide laws that may affect the outcome of a trial.
Source: 11alive.com, “Police: Drunk I-75 wrong-way driver hit tractor trailer head-on”, Julie Wolfe, Oct. 11, 2016