A New Jersey man is facing penalties that could affect the rest of his life for his role in an accident that left one person dead. He is facing both criminal charges and traffic violations for an alleged DWI accident that killed a mother of two. After his arrest, authorities charged him with vehicular homicide, and if convicted, he could spend significant time behind bars.
A tragic event
The accident report states that at the time of the crash, the driver was traveling at 69 mph in a 35-mph zone. It is unclear why, but the defendant’s vehicle crossed the center line, moving into oncoming traffic. He then struck the deceased’s sports utility vehicle. Emergency workers pulled the driver from the wreckage, but she later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
Additional charges against the defendant include DWI, possession of an open container of alcohol, reckless driving, failure to maintain his lane, speeding and careless driving. The driver is in police custody while awaiting his initial court appearance. Convictions for DWI accidents that result in the injury or death of another person typically bring severe penalties.
The rights of the defendant
Regardless of the charges against him, the New Jersey defendant has certain rights. He is entitled to a presumption of innocence, as well as the right to present a defense that challenges the evidence against him. At this point, he will find it beneficial to work with an experienced defense attorney to develop a strategy that allows him to effectively confront this case against him.