DUI accidents pose a serious risk to road users in Connecticut as well as throughout the country. Driving a vehicle while intoxicated is a reckless and negligent act that shows a complete disregard for the safety of other road users. The reckless and negligent choice to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence means that in the event of an accident, the negligent party can be held liable for any damages that resulted.

Police said a 31-year-old man was speeding on a local road in the early morning hours. He lost control of his car, went off the right side of the road and hit a large tree. The car was on fire when emergency crews arrived, and the man’s 28-year-old wife was trapped in the car. She was pulled from the car and taken to a local hospital where she died the next day.

Soon after the motor vehicle accident, police obtained the husband’s medical records. According to investigators, those records showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of .181. That is more than twice the legal limit of .08 BAC in Connecticut.

The husband was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to drive right. He was also charged with second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle. He was released on a $100,000 bond.

Victims injured in accidents involving drunk drivers may be able to bring an action to collect damages for their injuries. A victim, or their family if they are killed, must show that the defendant’s intoxication level was too high to safely operate their vehicle and that they failed to apply proper care in their actions for the safety of others. Confirming all the relevant facts of the accident surrounding the consumption of alcohol helps attorneys ensure clients get full and fair compensation for their losses.

Source:  www.nbcconnecticut.com, “Husband Charged in Branford Crash that Killed Wife” NBC Connecticut, Oct. 07, 2013