Suspected Drunk Driver Strikes Police Car in North Carolina Crash

RALEIGH, NC- Usnews.com writes that a driver in North Carolina struck a police car this week. The motorist is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the wreck. Reports indicate that the police officer was turning left when the other car went through the intersection in the evening.*

According to officers, the motorist then attempted to drive away from the scene of the crash, but ultimately left the roadway and struck a tree located in a residential yard. The driver is now being held in police custody. The suspect, identified as a 49-year-old man, is now facing charges for driving while intoxicated and for fleeing the scene of a crash. 

Drunk drivers present severe risks to everyone on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about one out of every three car crashes are caused by a drunk driver. In 2018, 10,511 people lost their lives in collisions involving a drunk driver. All states have laws prohibiting people from driving under the influence.

Alcohol reduces the functioning of the brain, leads to impaired thinking, and a lack of coordination. While drunk driving is typically defined as a .08 percent alcohol per volume, it is important to note that people can have their ability to drive impacted at much lower percentages. In 2018, drives with a blood-alcohol level of .01 percent through .07 percent alcohol per volume were involved in 1,878 deadly collisions. 

Because of the risks that are presented even by drinking a small amount of alcohol, it is important for any person involved in alcohol-related social events to find a safe way to get home with a designated driver, rideshare, or taxi. 

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/north-carolina/articles/2020-03-29/police-alcohol-likely-involved-when-driver-hit-police-car

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving