Drunk driving charges are serious charges that can carry stiff penalties. In a North Carolina community east of Statesville, an active-duty marine was recently charged in relation to a fatal accident. The 45-year old man is accused of blowing a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit. He has been charged with DWI, felony hit and run, felony death by motor vehicle and careless and reckless driving. The man was arrested following the fatal accident.

The marine was charged by authorities with impaired driving and other charges after he allegedly struck and killed the 17-year boy with his pickup. The boy was transported to a local hospital where he died. The marine allegedly fled the scene of the accident but was found and arrested later. According to authorities, he submitted to a breathalyzer test and blew a 0.18 blood alcohol content. The man remained in jail following the incident.

Any charges associated with driving while impaired are serious charges and should not be taken lightly. Drunk driving charges can carry significant penalties and consequences associated with them and, depending on the circumstances, the charges and potential penalties and consequences can be even more serious. In every situation when criminal charges are involved, the accused individual has important criminal defense rights to be familiar with.

Criminal defense rights are in place to help individuals who have been accused of a crime and can help them negotiate the criminal justice process. Understanding how the criminal justice process works, and the options available, should be something every party accused of a crime is aware of.

Source: JDNews.com, “HP: Man charged with DWI in 17-year-old’s death,” Amanda Thames, Aug. 22, 2017