Drunk Driver Leads Elk Grove Police on a High-Speed Chase
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove personal injury lawyer. A driver, who was driving recklessly, was arrested by police recently and arraigned on charges of drunk driving on June 5, 2018. The man, an Elk Grove resident, was spotted by police around 9:30 in the evening near West Stockton Boulevard and Bruceville Road. He was reportedly driving erratically when he lost control of his vehicle and hit the median in the center.
Details of the Arrest
According to police officers, they attempted to stop the vehicle, which was driven by 27-year-old Jesus Ventura. However, Ventura, instead of stopping, increased his speed to a high rate to avoid being detained. A short time later, police managed to stop the vehicle, whose driver was given a field sobriety test. After it was determined that Ventura was impaired, he was arrested and booked into county jail.
Drunk Driving Statistics
Drunk driving is a serious problem throughout California as it is elsewhere. In Elk Grove during 2015, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 69 collisions that involved a drunk driver, resulting in injuries or deaths. That same year, there were 306 DUI arrests made in the city. Throughout the county, there were 1,193 traffic collisions with resulting injuries and fatalities where drunk driving was determined to be a factor. According to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drunk and drugged driving nationwide accounted for 28 percent of traffic fatalities in 2016.
California Standards for Drunk Drivers
In California, as well as other states, an adult driver who exhibits a 0.08 BAC level when tested is legally drunk and subject to arrest. The standards are much higher for those who are under 21 years of age or are commercial drivers. In these instances, a young person under 21 with a BAC level of 0.01 is considered to be driving drunk. A commercial driver such as a big rig or bus operator is considered driving drunk with a BAC level of 0.04.
Protecting Yourself From a Drunk Driver
It’s often fairly easy to spot a drunk driver on the road because they are driving erratically, weaving and making other maneuvers a typical motorist wouldn’t. The following tips might help drivers avoid someone who is on the road and impaired by either alcohol or drugs:
- Make sure to wear your seat belt, even if you are only traveling a short distance. Seat belts have been proven to save lives and help to protect you from more severe injuries if you do happen to be involved in a collision.
- Don’t tailgate other vehicles, and if you see a reckless driver ahead, stay a reasonable following distance behind.
- Call the police to report an erratic driver. Make sure to note the mile marker and a description of the vehicle.
- Use extra caution driving late at night or on weekends. This is when drunk drivers are more likely to be on the road.
- Take extra care at intersections, and ensure that other drivers are stopping at red lights before you proceed.
Elk Grove Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove personal injury lawyer. Drunk drivers cause numerous injuries and fatalities every year. If you or a family member were injured or killed by a drunk driver, you can obtain fair compensation. Give me a call at 916-694-0002 for my friendly and free advice or at (800) 404-5400 if you are a long-distance caller.
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Since 1982, it has been my privilege to have helped many residents in Elk Grove and Northern California to obtain fair compensation for accident injuries and the loss of family members through negligence. This includes many types of car accidents and catastrophic harm such as traumatic brain injuries.
Photo Attribution: https://www.pexels.com/photo/alcohol-auto-automotive-beer-288476/
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