Tragic Death on I-80 Involving Marijuana
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville Personal Injury Attorney. A 40-year-old man suffered a tragic death in Roseville on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 while changing his tire on the side of the interstate 80. My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends who are experiencing this tragic loss.
What Happened
After realizing he had a flat tire, Joseph Bresnyan from Olivehurst pulled his Dodge Durango over to the shoulder of I-80 between Douglas Boulevard and Riverside Avenue. He called his wife and notified her of the situation and expressed gratitude that he happened to have a spare. As he exited the vehicle, he started removing the flat tire at about 3:30 in the afternoon. It was about this time that a black 2012 Honda Accord came onto the shoulder hitting the stopped Durango and man.
Bresnyan was killed on impact, reported the CHP. The offending driver was identified as Brandon Rotolo, a 24-year-old from Vacaville. He is currently in custody at the Placer County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana.
Watch Youtube Video – Driver killed while changing tire on I-80 in Roseville:
Remembering Joseph Bresnyan
Joseph Bresnyan left behind a wife, one daughter, and three sons. Joseph loved driving race cars and was said to be an amazing person and loved by all who knew him.
Driving Under the Influence
When we hear about impaired driving, we immediately think of alcohol and other illicit drugs. With more and more states legalizing marijuana, we need to correct myths that driving while high is not dangerous. Especially as marijuana use is growing in prominence.
The main theory for the reasons behind the difference in perception between drunk driving and stoned driving is that each drug has different effects on judgment and cognition. The field test of following a pen and standing on one foot that police officers use to determine driving impairment is less likely to identify drivers who are high. While catching 88% of drunk drivers, the same test only identified 30% of those with significant blood levels of THC.
So, does stoned driving really affect your ability to drive?
Yes, according to Drugabuse.gov, marijuana greatly impairs our motor coordination, judgment, and reaction time. THC is the chemical responsible for marijuana’s high. It has a direct relationship with our ability to drive when found in our blood stream. Studies show that drivers who have any level of THC present in their blood are up to seven times more likely to be responsible for a crash, and twice as likely to participate in a fatal crash than those without any drugs or alcohol in their system. This is the reason behind why driving under the influence of Marijuana is illegal in all 50 states even if recreation consumption is legal.
Wrongful death is painful, tragic, and an unfortunate situation when it happens. Contact me, your Roseville Wrongful Death Lawyer, today.
See these articles for more information.
- Wrongful Death Incidents
- Roseville Wrongful Death Lawyer
- What is wrongful death?
- How Long Do Wrongful Death Cases Take?
- Coping with Grief after the Death of a Loved One
A Roseville Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville Personal Injury Attorney. If you, or anyone dear to you, experience a wrongful tragic death or serious injury due to the negligence of another party, Please, do not wait to call at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free friendly advice.
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Please do not drive while impaired – Edward A Smith Law Offices.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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