Likely, most Tennessee drivers listen to the frequent warnings about the dangers of drinking and driving and choose to heed such warnings. For some reason, some people do not follow such rules, perhaps because they think nothing bad will happen if they consume a few drinks and get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, in reality, these people sometimes cause tragic motor vehicle accidents because they chose to ignore the facts around impairment.
Driver Crashes into Officer’s Vehicle
As a horrific example, on a recent Monday evening, a man crashed into an off-duty police officer in Memphis as the officer was pulling out of the Raines Station parking lot. Reportedly, following the collision, the 31-year-old officer was rushed to a hospital. Sadly, he later succumbed to his injuries. The other driver, a 54-year-old man, was also injured in the incident and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Police Arrest Driver for DUI
Police have said the man that crashed into the officer was driving under the influence. The results of a BAC test reveal that at the time of the crash, he had a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. He has since been arrested for aggravated vehicular homicide and taken into custody.
The driver responsible for this tragedy now faces serious criminal charges, but more importantly, a young man has died as a result of another person’s poor choice to drive while drunk. The grief felt by the victim’s family is, no doubt, amplified by the fact the incident was completely preventable. Often, fatal motor vehicle accidents like this one leave surviving family members not only grieving the loss of their loved one but also burdened with many unexpected expenses, such as hospital bills, funeral expenses, and loss of future income. Whether in Tennessee or another state, many of these people exercise their right to pursue the matter further through the civil justice system. Knowledgeable personal injury attorneys are available to explain options, including the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit, that if successful, can provide families some comfort and monetary compensation.