Following a motor vehicle accident, it might not be all that uncommon for individuals to appear shaken up or unsteady on their feet. However, in collisions that occur in the early hours of the day, similar behavioral patterns could give authorities cause to suspect the presence of impairment. A Wisconsin man has been accused of drunk driving after allegedly crashing into a tractor-trailer while traveling at a high rate of speed.
Authorities received reports of the incident just after 4 a.m. on a recent Wednesday. Upon arriving at the scene, they claim to have found the man's vehicle embedded within the trailer of the semi. During an investigation of the incident, authorities allegedly discovered that his vehicle had struck the semi after it had veered into another lane of traffic while traveling at a high rate of speed.
Although the man had to be extracted from his vehicle, authorities state that he refused medical care. While speaking with him, police assert that he appeared to be struggling to maintain balance and that his eyes were bloodshot. After allegedly admitting to consuming alcohol several hours prior to the incident, field sobriety and breath tests were conducted and he was taken into custody soon thereafter.
A conviction for drunk driving charges carries serious consequences, and in this situation, the man could reportedly be facing as many as four years behind bars. Those who stand accused of similar offenses could find it beneficial to consult with a defense attorney for guidance in making informed decisions. An attorney can inform a client in Wisconsin of what to expect during the process and provide guidance on the best course of action to take during legal proceedings.
Source: sheboyganpress.com, "Crash with semi leads to 4th OWI charge for Plymouth man", McLean Bennett, May 25, 2018