Following up on a KSL 5 news story reported just yesterday, the driver involved in the hit-and-run death of pedestrian Eugene Nelson has been arrested and booked for “investigation of automobile homicide” and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. William Ryan Fullmer, 21, was found at his home in Tooele after his date from the night of the accident, which was also with him at the time of the accident, called police and gave them information concerning the incident.  The date cited that she, with Fullmer, had purchased and consumed some of a bottle of vodka that night before attending the Jazz game, where Fullmer drank another 6 beers. After hitting Eugene Nelson shortly after leaving the game, Fullmer exited the vehicle to see what he had hit, and upon realizing what had occurred, “panicked” and left the scene of the accident.

A Murky Situation

While at first the accident appeared to be just that, an accident, as the pedestrian Eugene Nelson was crossing the street against the traffic light, these recent allegations of driving under the influence have muddied the situation. Being that Fullmer has been booked for “investigation of automobile homicide”, according to KSL news, there is some suspicion that Fullmer may be held responsible for the death of Eugene Nelson.

If Ryan Fullmer was indeed found responsible for the death of Eugene Nelson, a drunk driving accident attorney in Utah or a wrongful death attorney would be able to help the family of the deceased recover compensation for the death of their loved one. The personal injury lawyers at the Christensen Law Firm are capable of handling such a case with dignity and tact, understanding the loss felt by members of the family at such a time as this is immense. Call us today at (801) 506-0800 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney that cares.

A fatal collision from over the weekend appears to be the result of a stolen vehicle and alcohol. Utah Highway Patrol reports that a stolen green Ford Taurus crossed into oncoming traffic near Moab on Saturday and struck a Ford Escape head-on. Filemon Montoya of Sweetwater, Texas, the driver of the Escape, was killed upon impact despite wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Taurus was taken to Moab Regional Hospital in critical condition and later transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction via helicopter. The Utah Highway Patrol attributes alcohol and excessive speed on the part of the driver of the Taurus as the main reasons for which the accident occurred.

Our hearts truly go out to the family of Filemon Montoya. There is perhaps nothing more unjust about life than such an event—when life is stolen away through the selfish and negligent acts of another. Words can never suffice at such a time; we wish the family whatever amount of peace can be felt.

Criminal

Simply put, to drive while intoxicated is a selfish decision, one worthy of jail time and heavy fines. Speed was also a factor in the event and the vehicle was stolen, which compound the issue all together. Call this accident what you will—a crime, a wrongful death, a fatal accident, a drunk driving accident—all will apply, but none truly serve the purpose of justice for the harm this individual has caused.

A Utah drunk driving accident attorney is prepared to help the families of those who have seen loved ones untimely slip through death’s doors as the result of the actions of another. Such an accident would be considered a wrongful death, and the family of the deceased would be able to seek compensation for the death of him/her who had recently passed. For a free consultation with an experienced and compassionate advocate, call us at (801) 506-0800.

KSL5 news reported that a 20-year-old man was hit by a car near the same location where 6-year-old Ambrosia Amalatitoda was killed.  The accident occurred at 2 a.m., and the driver, also 20 years old, was arrested for drunk driving.  The man hit suffered major injuries, was taken to the hospital, and is expected to recover.  This accident is timely, as it shows not only the dangers of that specific location, but also highlights drunk driving as a major concern in Utah.

Utah drunk driving accidents continue to happen on Utah’s roads.  The Utah Department of Public Safety published results of 2010’s DUI statistics and highway violations due to alcohol.  The facts are revealing.

7 Questions about Utah’s Drunk Driving Problem

1. How many people were arrested for DUI’s in 2010?
   1. 14,756 DUI arrests
2. Which law enforcement agency made the most DUI arrests?
   1. City or Other Police: 50% (7,439)
   2. Highway Patrol: 37% (5,429)
   3. Sheriff’s Office: 13% (1,891)
3. Who is arrested more often for DUI’s, men or women?
   1. Men: 10,888
   2. Women: 3,815
   3. Unspecified: 53
4. What is the average blood alcohol concentration for people arrested for DUI?
   1. 14% – every year from 2000 to 2010
5. Which month has the most DUI’s?
   1. May: 1,404 arrests
6. How many youth arrests have there been for alcohol violations?
   1. Youth under 21 years of age: 774
7. Which age group has the highest arrest rate for DUI?
   1. 15-20 years old: 7% (1,087)
   2. 21-24 years old: 18% (2,637)
   3. 25-36 years old: 40% (5,911)
   4. 37-48 years old: 20% (3,011)
   5. 49+ years old: 13% (2,110)

The man described above who was hit by the drunk driver is a perfect example of the need to take these statistics seriously.  Each statistic is a real human being who is a family member or a friend to someone else; their lives matter.  These drunk driving accidents need to stop; real people are getting injured.  It will only be with great effort and education on everyone’s part that the alcohol related statistics will ameliorate.

The Christensen Law Firm is well aware of the need for public education when it comes to drunk driving and alcohol related car accidents.  That is why they have published a series of Utah accident books that educate drivers on the seriousness of this issue.  The books better prepare those who wish to take the lives of others into their hands while driving.  If you would like a free copy of these amazing books, call us at 1 800 LAWBOOK.

As a Utah drunk driving accident attorney, any news of drunk driving prevention measures is big news.  One example is found in Utah Representative David Butterfield, who has become a great advocate in protecting his constituents by pushing to discontinue DUI checkpoints all together in the state and replacing them with more patrols.  According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Rep. Butterfield believes more patrols will be a greater deterrent than DUI checkpoints.  As it stands now, in order to utilize a checkpoint, officers are required to receive a written approval from a judge containing the location and hours of operation.  On the other hand, in order to implement more patrols, no written approval or announcement of location or hours is required.  This is suspected to lead to more determent.  However, statistics have mixed results in either case leading to the need for more research.

Utah Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Gives the Facts

How big is our drunk driving problem in the United States?  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 people die in vehicular accidents involving alcohol consumption every day.  The following included by the CDC is a modified list of more facts to keep in mind in regards to drinking and driving:

• In 2009, 10,839 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, basically 1/3 of all traffic-related deaths that happen throughout the nation.
• Of the 1,314 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2009, 181 (14%) involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
• Of the 181 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2009, nearly half of the number were in the car of the person who had consumed the alcohol.
• In 2009, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.  That’s less than one percent of the 147 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.

If you should ever become a victim of a drunk driving related accident, there is information available to assist you in any legal issues you may have incurred from the incident.  The Christensen Law Firm is an advocate for protecting the legal rights of our community.  Our very own attorney, Ken Christensen, has published a whole library of free accident books that provides the community with legal information for those first few days following an accident.  For a free copy of an accident book, call 1-800 LAW BOOK.

Drunk driving accidents occur all too often.  One only has to turn on the news to hear about an accident involving alcohol.  The fact is that alcohol-induced accidents are sweeping the country.  Utah drunk driving accidents are not unique, either.  Though the following two examples are from other states, the trend is clear: drunk driving accidents are common.

1. Drunk Driving In California Kills A 19 Year Old Anti-Drinking-and Driving

Rachel Amaris Elliot was 19 when she was killed by a drunk driver.  She lived in Southern California while attending college.  Ironically, she was part of an anti-drinking-and-driving organization.  Her interest in the organization was due to the fact that her own mother was hit while driving by a drunk driver; although the mother lived, her two best friends died in her arms.  These stories are touching and poignant.

2. Drunk Driving in Colorado Leaves An 8 Year Old Without Mother

Damon Marquand, an 8 year old boy, was awarded $370,000 in a case against a drunk driver.  The driver and owner of the vehicle were sued by the young boy who lost his mother in the crash.  The money is a poor replacement for his mother, but it will help him in the difficult years ahead.

 Utah Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving occurs too often.  It is important to know more about drinking and driving and what your rights are when involved in Utah drunk driving accidents.

The Christensen Law Firm published a series of Utah accident books that may be utilized to gain more information about your rights concerning compensation due to you because of the wrongful actions of others.

The Christensen Law Firm deals with Utah drunk driving accidents.  If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a Utah drunk driving accident then call us immediately at 1-801-506-0800.

New Year’s Eve is a time of annual celebration and New Year’s resolutions, but this past holiday was a special one specifically because of the increased awareness of potential drunk drivers.   The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the Utah Highway Patrol instilled a so-called ‘blitz’.  A blitz is fundamentally when more than 50 troopers are involved in a mission.  This particular mission had the support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and officiated a 12-hour period of an increased number of troopers on the highways.  The result was a victorious effort which prevented numerous Utah drunk driving accidents and consequently made New Year’s Eve a great memory for many rather than a night of anguish.  The highway patrol ultimately arrested 72 individuals who were suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, including a 19 year-old female who backed into trooper’s vehicle with a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit.

Drunk Driving Accidents and Accident Books

 Drunk driving could possibly lead to fatal consequences, which can be very much prevented.  Even though New Year’s Eve in the Salt Lake Valley was deemed safer through the great efforts from highway patrolmen, this is not the case every night.  Included is a list of statistics about drunk driving provided by MADD, which we all should ponder:

- An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest.

- MADD serves a victim or survivor of drunk driving every nine minutes.
- This year, 10,839 people will die in drunk-driving crashes – one every 50 minutes.

- One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.

- Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash.

- 50 to 75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license.

- Drunk driving costs each adult in this country almost $500 per year.

- Since 1980 MADD has nearly saved 300,000 lives …and counting.

If you or a loved one should unfortunately become a victim of a drunk driver, there is assistance available for you.  The Christensen Law Firm compassionately represents each client with a personal touch.  We offer free accident books which will aid you in fully understanding the rights of all parties involved with the incident.  For a free accident book call 1-800 LAW BOOK.