According to local media reports, the defendant was driving her vehicle west in the eastbound lanes of the highway when she collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. The other vehicle’s driver, an unidentified man, reportedly attempted to swerve out of the way but could not avoid the crash. Unfortunately, he suffered fatal injuries as a result of the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. An unidentified passenger in his vehicle suffered serious injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for emergency treatment.
The defendant was arrested and booked into the Escambia County Jail. She has been charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI serious bodily injury and vehicle homicide. She is currently being held without bond.
Individuals arrested on drunk driving charges might need the immediate assistance of a criminal defense attorney, especially if they were involved in an accident that caused injuries or fatalities. An attorney could protect a defendant’s rights throughout the legal process and work to develop a viable defense strategy against the allegations. For example, in some DUI cases, it might be possible to dispute the accuracy of any field sobriety or breathalyzer tests that were performed, which could cause the charges to be dropped. However, if the evidence appears solid, the attorney may suggest negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. Depending on the details of the case, this strategy could get the charges reduced and help the defendant obtain a lighter sentence.
