Car accidents in Colorado happen every day. In some cases, they are the result of driver confusion rather than a driver who engages in risky and illegal activities, such as driving under the influence of alcohol. Despite this, the police sometimes conclude from an on-scene invetigation into the cause of an accident that alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor. One man now faces several charges, including DUI, after police say he caused a fatal crash.
The incident happened one night in early August. Reports indicate that a 64-year-old man took the southbound access ramp to a Colorado interstate. However, police say that he exited the ramp before completing the loop, instead entering the northbound lanes while traveling south. His vehicle allegedly collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
The driver of that vehicle, a 36-year-old man, passed away. Police say that the victim was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash. The older driver was taken into custody, suspected of DUI, vehicular homicide and driving the wrong way, among other crimes; he is being held without bail.
Unfortunately, when an accident happens at a certain time of day and under certain circumstances, it can be easy for police to conclude that the accident was the result of DUI or DUID. However, police officers’ beliefs alone are not usually sufficient to meet the high burden of proof required for a criminal conviction at trial. Many drivers in Colorado accused of traffic crimes like DUI or DUID wisely chose to be represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney to obtain the best possible outcome in their case and avoid unforeseen consequences to which the uniformed are sometimes susceptible.
Source: chieftain.com, “Man killed in wrong-way crash on I-25 – 12th fatal wreck in Pueblo in 2017,” Ryan Severance, Aug. 2, 2017