Drunk driver causes chain reaction crash with two police cars

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Drunk Driving Accidents

When car accidents occur, police officers generally report to the scene of the accident and eventually create a report. Depending on the situation, an officer may also decide to detain a driver or passenger or conduct further investigation into the cause of the accident. At that point, law enforcement can also look for signs that one or more of the driver&s is impaired.

Recently, a driver involved in a drunk driving accident in Chicago did not have to wait for police to arrive at the scene of the crash because the driver actually hit an unmarked police car parked on South Indianapolis Avenue. The impact caused a chain reaction and another car and a second squad car were also hit. The two squad cars were conducting a traffic stop at the time.

The accident occurred just after midnight. The 69-year-old driver was charged with felony aggravated DUI for causing an accident that involved bodily harm. The man was also charged with misdemeanor DUI and cited for failure to stay in the proper lane, as well as negligent driving.

The accident sent four officers to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The damage did not stop there. Civilians were also injured in the crash, three critically. Five people suffered a fair-to-serious condition and one individual refused treatment.

The driver was held on $50,000 bond.

Victims injured by a drunk driver in a DUI accident can claim damages through a civil lawsuit. The injured parties must prove that the driver was impaired and therefore negligently caused the accident. An attorney may be able to help the victim prove the driver&s level of intoxication and that the driver negligently disregarded public safety by getting behind the wheel of the car.

Source: CBS Chicago, "Driver Charged With DUI In Crash That Hurt 4 Cops," Nov. 7, 2013