A 34-year-old Union City man has been arrested on numerous charges including driving under the influence (DUI) after he caused a deadly crash in downtown Atlanta early in the morning of April 20.
The series of events that led up to the fatal crash occurring got underway shortly before 3:40 a.m. According to a spokesperson with the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), a motorist driving a black Dodge Challenger apparently pulled in front of a trooper while driving against traffic at the intersection of 5th Street and Spring Street.
It’s soon after this occurred that the trooper attempted to stop the reckless motorist. Upon realizing that he was being pursued, the driver made a U-turn then sped away. Soon after that, he took the southbound Downtown Connector exit. It’s then that he collided with two other cars.
One of the vehicles, a red Ford Expedition, was carrying five Florida residents at the time of the crash. The car’s driver, a 28-year-old man, was killed instantly as a result of the collision. His front seat passenger died from his injuries soon after arriving at Grady Hospital. Three of the car’s other occupants were ejected from the vehicle and suffered varying injuries as a result.
Two motorists were riding in the silver Nissan Altima that was also struck. They also suffered injuries.
The defendant ultimately fled on foot soon after crashing into the two cars. GSP troopers soon apprehended him though. He refused police’s request to submit to a blood test, so they had to request a search warrant for it.
He was later booked in jail on vehicular homicide, felony fleeing, second-degree murder, two serious injury counts and a variety of traffic offenses. Additional charges including possession of financial transaction card forgery devices and marijuana possession ones were also added hours after his arrest. A Fulton County judge has denied the suspect bond in this matter.
A statistic published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2005 captured how alcohol was a contributing factor in 39 percent of all fatal crashes that year.
Individuals who are seriously hurt or killed at the hands of drunk drivers are entitled to compensation for their medical and funeral costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. An attorney can help you hold the motorist who changed the course of your life accountable for their actions.
