A fatal accident involving five vehicles is being attributed to a driver who police believe may have been drunk at the time of the crash. Nevada authorities have charged the man with drunk driving after two people were killed on July 12. So far, no court date has been formally announced.
The accident record says the 26-year-old man was traveling on Lamb near Interstate 15 at an unsafe rate of speed when the accident occurred. The man reportedly struck car after car with his pickup truck after driving through two red lights. When his vehicle finally came to rest, he was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries described as critical.
Two people were killed in the multi-vehicle accident, including a 52-year-old and a 34-year-old man. Two other individuals, including a 5-year-old child, were taken to the hospital for injuries described as non life-threatening. The man now faces two counts of DUI resulting in death, as well as more minor charges including failure to wear a seat belt. He is expected to meet these charges in court when he is released from the hospital.
In situations where someone suspected of drunk driving is seriously injured in a Nevada accident, the first concern is for his or her well-being. In those circumstances, field sobriety testing and/or breath tests are typically deferred in order to arrange quick transport to a medical facility. Absent the driver’s consent, law enforcement authorities would normally require a warrant in order to arrange for a blood draw at the hospital. The defense in this case will likely investigate whether a blood draw was performed and, if so, under what specific circumstances. That information could be helpful as motions for relief are submitted to the court on behalf of the accused individual.
Source: fox5vegas.com, “Driver in 5-vehicle fatal crash booked on DUI charges“, Ophelia Young, Matt Guillermo, July 13, 2015