People make mistakes, but sometimes these mistakes result in consequences that are far more serious than what an individual might have ever considered.
Earlier this year, a Georgia teen was allegedly driving drunk when she got into a serious car accident. The teen survived the crash, but the driver of the vehicle she struck died from her injuries. The teen now faces serious felony charges, which could result in up to five years in prison if she is convicted. But perhaps the most severe consequence she may have to live with is to know that she may have been responsible for causing a crash that resulted in the death of someone else.
Although other factors might have contributed to the motorist’s death, such as not having a valid driver’s license and not wearing a seat belt, police reported that the teen allegedly caused the crash after she crossed the center line on the road while driving and collided head-on with another vehicle.
The fatal car accident occurred January 28. According to police, the teen was driving shortly before 3 a.m. when she crossed the center line and struck another car. The driver of the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from the car. She died at the scene of the accident. The teen was trapped in her vehicle after the impact. Emergency crews were able to extricate her from the vehicle and she was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for her injuries.
After the crash, police reported that the teen had been suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication. A blood test later revealed that the teen’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit of 0.08 in the state of Georgia.
Despite the accusations against the teen, she was allowed to finish her last year of high school; however, it is not known if the teen will be allowed to graduate. Last week, she turned herself in to police after she was charged with vehicular homicide in the first degree, a felony, for her involvement in the January crash. She was also charged with DUI.
Source: Covington News, “Teen charged in DUI, vehicular homicide,” Amber Pittman, May 25, 2012