Driving under the influence of alcohol has been preliminarily blamed by Washington State police as the cause of a 3-vehicle accident. The accident happened on Highway 500 near its intersection with I-205 on Feb. 2, 2018. The driver who initiated the collision has been charged with drunk driving.
The DUI suspect was heading west on Hwy. 500 at about 10:40 p.m. when he lost control and crashed into another car. The driver and a pedestrian of the first car were standing in the roadway surveying the crash scene when a third car smashed into the rear end of the first car and pushed it into the pedestrian. The DUI suspect and the bystander were taken to a hospital, where they were treated and released. The two other drivers were not injured. The car driven by the suspected drunk driver was totaled, and the other two vehicles were towed from the scene.
Washington State Patrol reported that drugs or alcohol appeared to have been causative factors in the accident. The driver was arrested and charged with suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license and speeding.
The suspect in this case faces serious charges because he allegedly caused an accident that resulted in both bodily injury and property damage. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to consult a lawyer with experience in handling drunk driving arrests. A knowledgeable attorney may be able to provide a helpful evaluation of the facts and law that govern the case and an estimate of the likelihood of negotiation of a favorable plea agreement.
Source: The Columbian, "Man suspected of DUI in 3-vehicle collision on highway in Vancouver," Jerzy Shedlock, Feb. 2, 2018