Eureka DUI Fire Hydrant Crash
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka car accident lawyer. On Tuesday, September 19, 2017, an alleged DUI collision left one individual with serious traumatic injuries.
Accident Details
Reports issued by the Eureka Police Department (EPD) indicate that the collision took place on the sidewalk outside of a Patriot Gas Station across the street from Eureka’s Comfort Inn at 4260 Broadway Street. Officers reported that a 32-year-old male resident of Eureka had been driving down Broadway at about 7:00 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle.
The vehicle, a red Ford SUV, traveled off of the roadway and drove along the sidewalk for a short distance before colliding with a fire hydrant. The collision with the hydrant caused the vehicle to overturn and come to a rest on its side with the driver-side door facing down.
Response and Injury
EPD sent responders to the crash site directly after receiving a call indicating that a possible injury collision had occurred on the city’s main thoroughfare. Upon arriving at the scene, responders found the driver injured and still inside of his vehicle.
Emergency responders extricated the man from the wreckage of his vehicle and sent him to Saint Joseph Hospital to receive treatment for his injuries. Authorities did report that the man’s injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Arrest
Before being sent to the hospital, the driver of the Ford was arrested by responding officers from EPD on charges of driving his vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol. Although investigators are currently looking into the incident, no other causal factors have been reported so far.
Additionally, the man was cited for driving without a license or driver’s insurance.
Driving Drunk
Driving may seem like an automatic task sometimes, but it requires sustained attention and focus, something that those under the influence of alcohol have a hard time maintaining. Loss of focus on the task of driving due to drunkenness leads to needless accidents that endanger the lives of drivers, pedestrians, vehicle passengers, and bicyclists alike.
In addition to maintained focus, driving safely also requires the ability to react quickly to the changing conditions of roadways. Because alcohol slows reaction times, intoxicated drivers who otherwise would have been able to avoid collisions are liable to cause serious damages.
Liability
If a driver is found to have been drinking before an accident, they are considered to have been negligently operating their vehicle and are liable to pay for the injuries and damages they caused. Also, parties who supplied the drunk driver with alcohol or a vehicle knowing that the driver would operate a vehicle while intoxicated may be liable to pay for damages as well.
More From Eureka Car Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith
Eureka Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka car accident lawyer. An accident has the potential to be life-changing. If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver, please call me at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice. You can also reach me online at AutoAccident.com.
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