The state highways in Wisconsin offer drivers beautiful scenes of agriculture and nature, often winding through small communities and passing around forests and lakes. Drivers may be used to seeing local species of wildlife crossing the roads as well as encountering other drivers and pedestrians.
One scene that drivers may not expect to see on a local highway is an ambulance flipped over on the road, but that was just the scene in Greenwood when a driver ran a stop sign and crashed into the rear of the ambulance in the early hours of the morning. While the ambulance's driver and two EMTs were taken to the hospital along with the car's driver and passenger, all are expected to survive the impact.
The driver of the car was arrested on drunk driving charges and if subject to conviction will face serious penalties for his actions. It is unknown if the driver has prior DUI offenses on his record, though penalties for subsequent DUI convictions are greater than for a first DUI offense.
While it is very fortunate that no one was killed in this incident, the driver of the car will now face the challenging task of preparing to deal with his drunk driving charges. Prior to the trial, the driver's license may be suspended and if so he will be unable to operate a vehicle. If he is able to keep driving after the accident, he may have to install an ignition interlock device that only allows him to start his car after blowing an alcohol-free breath into the system. If convicted, the charges will stay on his record for a period of time, which may impact his ability to find certain types of work.
Drunk driving charges can place significant burdens on affected drivers. Though the risks associated with driving under the influence of alcohol are serious, individuals subject to DUI offenses have legal rights to present evidence and defend themselves when facing the charges against them.
Source: Wisconsin Radio Network, "Suspected drunken driver slams into ambulance," Jackie Johnson, June 8, 2013