West Imola Avenue DUI Crash
On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 20, 2021, police officers were summoned to a car crash on West Imola Avenue in south Napa just before 4:00 p.m. The collision site was west of Cabot Way. Investigation into the cause of the crash resulted in one person being arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving, according to authorities.
Details of the Napa DUI Crash
A sports utility vehicle (SUV) was being driven westbound on West Imola by Amy Carol Thomas, a 45-year-old resident of Napa. Her SUV crossed over the median into the eastbound lane, where it collided with a van headed in that direction. At impact, the van spun around and came to rest facing the opposite direction, according to police.
Post-Crash Details
The driver of the van sustained injuries and was transported by ambulance to Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. An updated medical condition on the driver has not been released.
Amy Thomas was placed under arrest and booked into the Napa County jail. She was charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and causing injury to another. A jail booking record reveals that she remained in jail until around 7:30 p.m., after which she was released.
Are There More Drunk Drivers in Napa?
It’s a natural question – Napa Valley, California, is a world-class destination with a focus on wine tourism. Does that mean that there are more instances of drunk driving than in other cities? The Napa Valley Register looked at this issue in 2019 and found that the answer was yes.
According to state statistics, Napa Valley is home to a disproportionately high number of auto accidents that include drunk driving as a factor. California’s Office of Traffic Safety published rankings for the year 2016 that revealed that Napa County had more arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) in comparison to counties with similar populations. In 2016, according to census estimates, Napa County ranked number 34 in population out of the state’s 58 counties but came in at number 21 for drunk driving collisions involving drivers between 21 and 34 years of age. That same year, 44 people were injured or killed in Napa DUI crashes.
Driving After Wine Tasting
There are many alternatives to getting behind the wheel following an afternoon of wine tasting. As with all outings involving alcohol, a safe ride home should be arranged in advance. That could include designating a driver who abstains from alcohol or calling an Uber or Lyft. It takes less alcohol than many realize to cause impairment, and the law in California is that any amount of alcohol that causes impairment of driving ability is illegal. In some instances, that may even be less than the amount that results in .08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC).
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below is a reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.
Napa Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading our story on this recent Napa DUI crash. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Napa, California personal injury attorney. Drunk driving is a primary and troubling cause of car crashes, but there are also all sorts of other types of negligent behavior that can result in a collision. An accident that causes injuries can change your life. If a careless or reckless motorist has caused an accident that resulted in you or a loved one sustaining severe injuries, it is a good idea to seek experienced legal counsel. Not only will your rights be protected, but the value of your injury claim will be maximized. For compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice following a car wreck, call our skilled injury lawyers at (707) 564-1900. For those that are calling from a different area code, we also provide a toll-free number: (800) 404-5400.
Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/drink-driving-drunk-alcohol-808790/
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