Police officers are often held to higher standards than average citizens. If they are accused of a crime, including drunk driving, they often face both swift and severe personal and professional ramifications. Unfortunately, one police officer was recently arrested following an accident involving a pedestrian in Wisconsin.
The accident occurred one evening in late December. According to reports, a vehicle driven by a 49-year-old police officer struck a pedestrian who was attempting to cross the street. Details of the events leading up to the accident are unclear.
The pedestrian, a 29-year-old woman, was transported to the hospital where she remains in critical condition. The driver now faces a charge of causing injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. The man's blood alcohol content at the time of the accident and how it was determined is also unclear. He was placed on administrative leave from the police department that he has served for 23 years until an investigation can be completed.
As a result of the drunk driving allegations, the man now faces multiple decisions that will undoubtedly have a significant impact on his life. Many people who face such charges in Wisconsin feel unprepared to make them. Fortunately, there are experienced professionals who can guide them through the decision-making process, helping to ensure that defendants fully understand the available options. In some cases, a person facing such a charge decides it is in his or her best interests to accept a plea deal; in others, a defendant will choose to fight the charges in court.
Source: dailyherald.com, "Lake in the Hills cop accused of DUI, striking pedestrian", Madhu Krishnamurthy, Dec. 30, 2016