A landscape company worker was mowing the lawn Tuesday on Salt Lake’s 1300 South near the 2100 East intersection when a car hit him.
The driver of the vehicle, 60-year-old Arlene Hinich was driving west when she suddenly veered into the man.
He was initially transported to the hospital in an ambulance but was later found to have suffered minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities who arrived at the scene performed a field sobriety test on Hinich and later conducted a blood test. According to Salt Lake police detective Cary Wichmann, she was then booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of driving under the influence.
Driving under the influence is a risk that is not worth taking. When you drive under the influence of alcohol you are trying to function under the influence of a depressant drug which slows down your brain and body, which is why your alertness and motor coordination are reduced. You are incapable of reacting as quick as necessary to properly handle situations on the road.
Not only is your reaction time affected but your entire sensory system, that is imperative to safe driving, is also affected. Often those under the influence of alcohol suffer from blurred or doubled vision. This alters your depth perception, making it extremely difficult to tell where other vehicles, pedestrians and other roadway objects are.
Other prescription drugs are also depressant drugs. They can be prescription drugs like sedatives, painkillers, and any other drug that causes drowsiness including some cough, cold and allergy medications.
Think ahead and find someone to drive you when you are going to be in the situation to drink or when you know you will be on certain medications. No matter how good a driver you are, you are no match for chemical changes that alter your brain and body. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident where one or more drivers were under the influence, call the attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm to find out what options are available to you. Call us today at 801-506-0800.