Lexus Splits in Half After Intoxicated Driver Crosses Median
Two people are dead after a serious car crash on the North Side, when their car skidded across a median into oncoming traffic. The driver admitted to police that he was under the influence of marijuana at the time.
The 19-year-old man was southbound on U.S. 281 near Sonterra Boulevard when he apparently lost control of his Lexus. The car rumbled across a grassy median and broke through a protective cable before it became airborne and landed into oncoming traffic on the opposite side of 281. The Lexus crashed into a Toyota head-on, and the force of the impact split the Lexus in half.
A 17-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, both passengers in the Lexus, were declared dead at the scene. The two people inside the Toyota were rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, as was the 19-year-old Lexus driver. According to police, the driver will be charged with multiple counts of intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter.
The crash occurred shortly before midnight.
Impaired Driving
Most drivers are impaired with a BAC of as little as .04, which is roughly half the legal limit in Texas. Although the amount varies greatly, .04 may be about two or three drinks for most men, and even fewer for most women. So, even if there is no DUI arrest, there is a significant chance that the driver may have been too impaired to be driving.
In addition to the level of intoxication, there are a wide range of legal, and illegal, substances and habits that can cause impairment. Some examples include:
- Fatigue: An operator who is driving after 18 consecutive sleepless hours has the same cognitive impairment as a person with a .05 BAC.
- Prescription Drugs: A number of commonly prescribed drugs can cause drowsiness or similar impairment, either by themselves or when used alongside other substances.
- Over-The-Counter Drugs: Some OTC medicines, such as sleep aids and certain antihistamines, can have a similar effect.
- Illegal Drugs: Marijuana can significantly affect cognitive functions and a person’s ability to multitask, and stronger drugs, like cocaine, have an even more intense effect.
If successful in court, victims of a serious car crash may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Impaired drivers have breached the duty of reasonable care, and they are legally responsible for the damage they cause. For a free consultation in this area, contact an aggressive New Braunfels personal injury attorney at The Bettersworth Law Firm. Call 830-443-9193 to schedule a free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available upon request.
