Sometimes, Illinois residents get into their cars without realizing that they may be too impaired to get behind the wheel. The effects of the alcohol may not have really hit until the car is already in motion. Then, a car accident occurs, and an arrest for drunk driving follows soon thereafter.
For instance, the Illinois State Police recently reported an arrest made on a recent Wednesday. An accident had occurred in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64. The occupants of a vehicle involved in the crash had already gotten out of it. The vehicle was sitting in the left lane.
Another vehicle came upon the scene, but failed to stop before striking the parked vehicle. Fortunately, the only injuries were the minor ones suffered by the 33-year-old man driving the car that struck the parked vehicle. Emergency medical personnel took him to a hospital in the area for treatment of those injuries.
Meanwhile, police believe the evidence pointed to the fact that the man was impaired at the time of the accident. Now, the man faces charges for driving under the influence of alcohol. The mere suspicions of officials are not enough to secure a conviction, however.
The drunk driving charges can be challenged since prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law before a conviction can be secured. The evidence must meet certain standards before it can be admitted. Any mistakes or violations of an individual’s rights could make the evidence inadmissible in court. This could substantially weaken the prosecution’s case and lead to a reduction or dismissal of the charges. In the alternative, other arrangements may be made with prosecutors and the court in order to avoid the criminal penalties and ramifications to a person’s life that often accompany such charges.
Source: kfvs12.com, “ISP: Drunk driver crashes into parked car in Jefferson Co., IL”, Joshua Murray, Aug. 9, 2017
