Intoxicated Driver Causes Accident in Beaumont Resulting in Death
by Amber Cortez | March 15th, 2016 | Auto Accident, Blog
One of the most inconvenient things a driver can face is having their car break down. Stranded on the side of the road can leave a motorist feeling helpless and unsure of how to handle their problem. If a driver is not mechanically inclined to address minor engine-related issues or other vehicle factors, they’ll have to deal with calling a friend or tow truck to come out and lend a hand.
Having to deal with all of this while working with cars zipping past at high speeds and thinking about the cost of fixing your vehicle can be an overwhelming burden. In extreme cases, a severe act of negligence can turn your world upside down. This was the unfortunate case for a motorist and his wife in Beaumont who were injured while attempting to replace a flat tire while parked on the side of the road.
Scene of the Crime
On January 26th, the couple pulled over along Interstate 10 in Jefferson County, Texas. The husband was changing a tire on his wife’s vehicle while it was parked on the shoulder of the road. While doing this, an intoxicated motorist slammed into their car, killing the husband and injuring the wife.
Beaumont police charged the driver with intoxicated manslaughter and intoxication assault. A judge set his bail at $500,000 as the defendant had a previous conviction of driving while intoxicated in 2010.
Demanding Justice
In early February of 2016, the wife filed a lawsuit with the Jefferson County District Court against the intoxicated driver citing gross negligence and malice in connection with the crash that cost her husband his life. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges she sustained physical impairment and is expected to pay expenses for medical attention to treat her injuries.
The Consequences
Drinking and driving is one of the most irresponsible actions a motorist can commit. The danger they’re placing themselves and other motorists in can result in serious injuries that can take years to treat. In the most serious cases, death isn’t an uncommon outcome. For an offense similar to the one committed by the defendant, an outcome could possibly result in:
- A fine of up to $10,000
- A sentence between 2-20 years in a state jail
- Loss of driver’s license for up to a year
- An annual fee of $1,000 – $2,000 for three years to retain a driver’s license
You Won’t Be Alone with Us
The J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys will fight for your rights to get you the compensation and due process you deserve. We know how medical bills, funeral fees and car damages can put your life on hold. Our personal injury lawyer in McAllen wants to be there for you to help get your life back in order.
We understand that no amount of compensation will replace the loss of a loved one, but it can help ease the financial burdens caused by your accident. Get in touch with us to get the process started on building your case.
