A woman in Colorado was recently accused of drinking and driving and causing a fatal accident. Police said the accident took place on a Thursday. The woman now facing criminal charges is 29 years old. A person who is charged with vehicular assault or homicide is always presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty in a court of law.
According to authorities, the woman was driving an automobile during the early morning hours. At around 2:40 a.m., she was involved in a deadly rollover crash. The wreck led to the death of a 31-year-old.
The crash happened near a high school and prompted authorities to shut down vehicle traffic in the area. Following the crash, police arrested the woman on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and vehicular assault as well as safety belt systems. Two people riding in the woman’s vehicle suffered serious injuries in the crash and were taken to the hospital. The man who died in the crash was by himself in his own automobile.
A person who has been charged with vehicular assault or homicide has the right to a jury trial. At trial, prosecutors are required to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and by competent evidence, before a criminal conviction can be secured. A defendant may also pursue negotiations for a plea agreement, which — if available — might result in reduced charges and/or a lighter sentence. A criminal defense attorney will fight for an outcome that is favorable to the accused while also seeking to ensure that the defendant’s legal rights are safeguarded at all stages of a Colorado criminal proceeding.
Source: gazette.com, “Driver arrested after fatal Colorado Springs crash“, Debbie Kelley, Oct. 23, 2015