Archive for the ‘Drunk Driving Accidents’ Category

Third Time’s the Charm: Joe White Hit By Car

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

 

Daniel Kropf - arrested for 3 DUI'sDaniel Max Kropf, was reported by KSL as having been sentence to jail time after three arrests in just three days.

The Logan man will be offered a release on bail after serving a minimum of thirty days behind bars. The arrests took place last July but his sentencing was announced yesterday.

His arrests were DUIs on three consecutive days. The last two days were attributed to opiate use, not Alcohol. The first arrest was the most serious because Kropf was found hauling a 26 foot flatbed behind his truck which hit and pinned a man behind a trash can.

Despite his clear issue with drug abuse, Kropf maintains that he does not have an addiction. We are glad to hear that Kropf has been improving and has passed his weekly drug tests.

Kropf’s reoccurring arrests are no surprise, MADD reports that an estimate one third of all DUI convictions are from repeat offenders. However Kropf probably holds the record for shortest amount of time between offenses.

In the state of Utah the first two DUI charges are class B misdemeanors, but a third DUI constitutes a class three felony. These felonies require the harsher punishment which Kropf is experiencing.

The judge yesterday was lenient in offering Kropf the 30 day possibility for bail. There was consideration made for the family which Kropf leaves behind. Owing to the fact that Kropf is the sole provider for his family his wife and children have been negatively affected by this ordeal.

We at Christensen & Hymas extend our concern for the Kropf family’s suffering and others who were hurt by Daniel Kropf’s opium addiction.

If you or your family has been victimized by someone else’s addictions do not hesitate to call Christensen & Hymas at (801)506-0800, we are eager to help you.

 

 

Kevin Johnston Arrested for DUI

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Dont drink and drive urinal campaignKSL News reported that Kevin Johnston, 27, was arrested over the weekend for driving while intoxicated.  In fact, he had almost 5 times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood stream.  His blood alcohol level was .36%, the legal limit in Utah being .08%.   “Police said that much alcohol could be deadly.”

When police arrived on the scene, they found Johnston in the middle of Creek Road, passed out.  He had apparently left his vehicle after it’s engine had stalled, lost control of his balance and knocked himself out after hitting the pavement with his face.

The police also found packages of marijuana–”ready to sell”–in Johnston’s car, an open container of beer, a drug pipe, and a medication bottle with a false bottom, ready to conceal illicit material.

Johnston has a lengthy police record, including two prior DUI charges and drug related charges.  Since this is his third DUI charge, officers arrested him for a felony, not merely a misdemeanor.

Although no one was injured except Johnston himself, the situation presented could have been much worse.  Setting aside the drugs, driving while intoxicated is very dangerous.  According to the Century Council, there were over 10,000 DUI-related deaths in 2010 alone.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that teens and motorcyclists are most at risk for driving while intoxicated.

Driving while intoxicated is very serious.  The consequences could be as dramatic as killing someone or yourself.  At the least, the loss of a driver’s licence and possible jail time could be imposed.

If you intend on drinking, make sure to take the proper steps to assure no one will be injured from you actions: arrange a taxi; get a sober friend to drive you home; take the bus; stay the night rather than travel home; etc.

If you have been injured due to someone’s negligence, call Christensen & Hymas now at 1-801-506-0800.  We will make sure that you obtain all the compensation you deserve.

Lindsay Dyches and Child Hit by Drunk Driver Update

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

In a follow-up on last week’s article from the Salt Late Tribune, KSL gives us more details about Lindsay Dyches and her 7-year-old daughter, Presley and their accident where they were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Presley was in intensive care, but is now recovering.

The child had intensely critical injuries including broken ribs and internal bleeding. Lindsay was also injured, with a broken left arm and ankle, which will prevent from working for 3-6 months. Her husband will have to take over the responsibility of running the family business as well as taking care of their three children without her physical help.

When the accident happened, they were on their way to Presley’s school where she was excited about a playdate for following day. But they did not make it to school; they ended up in the hospital. Presley’s classmates and friends gathered together to make a “get well soon” card while she was in the hospital.

The drunk driver, 33-year-old Aaron Moorman crossed into  the wrong lane of traffic on SR 198 in the morning. Jen Sothwick, a friend of Lindsay’s said, “It breaks my heart. I think especially that early in the morning, you think, ‘Oh, I’m just going to take my kids to school real quick.’ It’s not on your mind that you have to watch out for drunk drivers…It just makes you think twice… you never know what’s going to happen.”

Southwick only speaks highly of Lindsay and her family. We wish them both a quick and full recovery. We are extremely happy that this man’s negligent behavior did not do more harm, and hope this family gets the justice they deserve.

Lindsay Dyches and Child Hit by Drunk Driver

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

Girl injured in crash  driver arrested for alleged DUI   ksl.comThe Salt Lake Tribune shared a story of an intense crash this morning.

A head-on collision on Highway 198, between Spanish Fork and Salem left three people, including a child, severely injured.

33-year-old Aaron Moorman, from Springville, plowed his Chevrolet van into Lindsay Dyches’ Nissan sedan around 8:10 am this morning. Lindsay’s 7-year-old daughter, Presley was also in the car at the time of the crash. Both drivers were transported via ambulance to the local hospital in serious condition; Presley was in critical condition as she was flown to Provo Regional Medical Center. Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Todd Johnson has since said that the child’s vital signs are stabilized now.

Moorman was cited for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a serious offense in the state of Utah.

Here at Christensen & Hymas, we wish the victims of this accident a speedy recovery. It is always tragic when a child is involved in such a situation. Our hearts go out to the Dyches family as we hope for little Presley’s improvement.

If you or a loved one have ever been in an accident like this, we would like to help. Going through a scenario such as the story above can turn your world upside-down. The legal ramifications can be overwhelming, the jargon can be confusing, and unfortunately many times insurance companies are difficult to work with.We want to make sure that your family’s pain is overlooked or dismissed.

Call Utah Accident Attorneys at Christensen & Hymas for a FREE consultation today: 801-506-0800, our expert lawyers would be happy to help you figure out what your next steps are.

 

Image courtesy of ksl news

Sirens Give Away Drunk Man DUI Issued

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

Car sirenFox 13 news reported:

Early Sunday morning, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, an officer responded to police sirens. What he found was a drunken civilian, whose vehicle was outfitted with lights and sirens.

Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Gary Young said that the officer came across the car around 5:00 am, near 2200 E and 6700 S. The SUV had a siren as well as blue and red lights–the man incriminated himself, when his passenger sounded the siren and turned on the lights.

The man behind the wheel was drunk, and was cited with a DUI. Investigations are still pending into his claim that he had permission for the lights and sirens “from an agency dealing with search and rescue.” Young predicts that the drunken man did not, in fact have official authorization for the lights and sirens.

Drunk driving is a serious problem. According to the New York State Police, drunk drivers cause more than 17,000 deaths annually. This equates to one alcohol related driving death every 30 minutes. Different states have different punishments for driving under the influence, but no state is tolerant.

In Utah, a first drunk driving conviction will get you a minimum of 48 hours in jail, and a fine of $700 minimum, as well as a license suspension for 120 days. A second offense will get you  at least 240 minimum in jail, $800 minimum fine, and a 2-year license suspension. The consequences become more serious with more offenses, or higher BAC (blood alcohol level), or any refusal to take a chemical test.

Lucky for this man, he didn’t hurt any one in his negligence of driving while drunk. Many people are not that lucky. If you or a loved one has been in an accident due to someone else driving under the influence of alcohol, call Christensen & Hymas for a free consultation to help protect your case: 801-506-0800

 

Image courtesy of flickr.com

2 Cyclists Ran Down by Drunk Driver Michael Saenz

Friday, February 1st, 2013

Cyclist - road bikePolice recently arrested a man for hitting two cyclists riding along the side of the road. 23-year-old Michael James Saenz was witnessed to have struck the bicyclists while driving southbound on Van Winkle Expressway at 4500 South in Murray Utah at about 1:30 am. He acknowledges both hitting the riders and driving under the influence.

Saenz was taken into the Salt Lake County Jail on account of one third-degree felony: “DUI causing bodily injury”; and a class C misdemeanor: “operating a motor vehicle near a prohibited area,” in this case, the bicycle zone he moved into. His initial bail pending court proceedings was $810.

One victim was critically hurt with severe head injuries; the other was left in serious condition. Both were taken to Intermountain Medical Center.  Some of the earlier reports believed the critically injured rider to be dead, but the afternoon police had not confirmed that information. Now both riders are stable physically, but still shaken by the event.

Michael Saenz was sentenced last week to a few years in prison, and pending restitution to be determined later, as he was taken from the court in handcuffs.

Driving under the influence is a serious legal offense. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunk driving accident, legal repercussions must take place. Call Utah Accident Lawyers at Christensen & Hymas to discuss your case. They are attorneys with the highest amount of integrity, who truly care about you and your family, and getting justice for all parties involved. Call now for a free case consultation: 801-506-0800.

Woman Crashes into Garage

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

car_crashes_into_garageTwo weeks ago, in West Valley City, a 26-year-old woman ran over a curb, through the front yard of a house, and drove into the garage, which caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage. The woman was given a breathalyzer test, and was also taken for further testing. Police did not conclude if she was impaired by alcohol or drugs. She is currently under investigation of DUI.

Gary Everett, whose son is renting the damaged house said, “It’s going to be a lot of work for us to get it fixed… People shouldn’t be drinking and driving.”

Drunk driving is a serious problem in our country. Nearly a third of every car accident deaths are related in some way to alcohol. Among drivers under 21 involved in an accident, NHTSA stats suggest that around 30% had been drinking alcohol. For teens in this age bracket, auto accidents are the top cause of death.

In Utah, the number of drunk driving accidents and fatalities is comparatively low to our surrounding states like California and Nevada. However they still occur, and can be wildly devastating.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a drunk driving accident, you may be deserving compensation. Call drunk driving accident lawyers at Christensen & Hymas at (801) 506-0800 for a free consultation for your situation. Our firm has a strong reputation of integrity and experience, and will stand by you to help you get the justice you deserve.

DUI Hit and Run on His Birthday

Monday, January 14th, 2013

kearns_duiIn Kearns, UT, police arrested three men after they allegedly hit a car and fled the scene. At 2:00 am, they left a bar and drove off in an SUV, hitting a parked car on their way.

An officer was nearby, and saw the incident. He tried to pull over the fleeing car, but they wouldn’t stop. After a short chase, police cornered them in a neighborhood. The driver was arrested for DUI, felony fleeting, and hit and run. It was his 29th birthday. (When he blew out the candles celebrating his birthday in the bar, we bet his wish was NOT to spend the night in prison!)

Hit and run accidents are on the rise. Pedestrian accidents even more so. According to the New York Times, hit-and-run drivers kill almost 1,000 people ever year. 46% of those deaths happen between the hours of 6 pm and midnight, where visibility is decreased.

If you are a pedestrian, take safety measures for yourself. If possible, never walk during the darkest hours on the road. When crossing streets, or turning corners, make sure you keep acute awareness of oncoming vehicles. Wearing reflective vests, lights, or even bright colors can help drivers see you. Black, brown, and other earthy or dark colors makes it very difficult for you to be seen.

You should take every precaution to ensure your own safety as a pedestrian, but  even still, you could find yourself the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Make sure you protect yourself after such an event. Call hit and run attorneys at Christensen & Hymas Law Firm to see how they can protect you:  801-506-0800.

Justice Sought for Eric Peterson

Friday, October 26th, 2012

In what appears to be an accident that possibly could have been avoided multiple times, Eric Peterson and his girlfriend were struck in their vehicle by a purported drunk driver while sitting at a red light Sunday morning. Peterson is now in a coma on life support, having suffered extensive brain damage and other injuries in the crash. His girlfriend, Baylee King, has since been released from the hospital.

FOX13 reports the perpetrator, Ryan Cooke, stole a police vehicle and was being pursued by the police in a high-speed chase when he struck Peterson and King. Thus actions by both Cooke and the police appear to have contributed to the accident. Cooke’s actions are certainly not justifiable, and he will be prosecuted for such; those of the police, on the other hand, are debatable.

Peterson’s family is now seeking to hold South Salt Lake Police responsible for the accident. “There needs to be a change in chase laws,” said Michael Peterson, Eric’s father. “The criminal was forced into this as far as trying to get away and innocent people were hurt.”

While there are multiple investigations and pending reports related to this accident, one thing is for sure: compensation is entitled to pay for Eric Peterson’s current and future medical costs, as well as pain and suffering. Once liability is determined, this may be pursued. A Utah drunk driving accident attorney, which falls under personal injury law, at Christensen & Hymas will ensure that proper and fair compensation is achieved. In such cases, reparation for the wrongs done is a right, no matter what the insurance companies may say. Call us today for a free consultation at (801) 506-0800.

Injured by a Drunk Driver in Massachusetts?

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Getting hit by a drunk driver can leave you with physical and emotional trauma, not to mention financially crippling medical bills. Those whose loved one was killed by a drunk driver also experience an undue amount of emotional hardship. There are tens of thousands of drunk driving victims in the United States every year who succumb to their injuries, leaving grief-stricken families behind.

MADD Statistics

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD, around 13,000 people were killed in DUI accidents in 2007. People that do escape with their lives, often find them forever altered by their injury. Some of the worst injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries are most often caused by car accidents. Whenever alcohol is involved, the chances of a serious car crash and resulting injuries are exponentially worse.

MA Drunk Driving Laws

In Massachusetts, the legal limit for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is 0.08, and for underage drivers, the BAC is 0.02. If you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by a person who was driving while intoxicated, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and pain you have suffered.

Holding Drunk Drivers Responsible

Remember, to obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, damages to your vehicle and other accident-related expenses, you will need to file a Massachusetts personal injury claim against the intoxicated driver who caused your accident.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a drunk driver, an experienced MA drunk driving accident attorney with the Kiley Law Group can help you understand your rights and file an injury claim. We will go over every aspect of your accident and determine the full extent of the money damages you are entitled to.

The car accident lawyers at Kiley Law Group specialize in drunk-driving accidents and have s 30 years of expertise and a deeper understanding of the intricacies of Massachusetts OUI laws.

For a FREE Consultation, call us toll-free at (888) 208-1695.

This guest blog post is brought to you by the Massachusetts personal injury law firm the Kiley Law Group.


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