Paul Horton: Utah DUI Defense

This DUI Lawyer wanted to provide you with a follow-up to a story first reported on Sept. 4 (“Utah woman run down in DUI car accident”), the driver believed to be responsible for a Utah woman’s death will stand trial. Reports indicate that prosecutors provided enough evidence at a preliminary hearing on Nov. 26 to convince a judge to order the man to stand trial in connection with this tragic DUI death. His next court appearance is currently scheduled for Dec. 19.

Fatal DUI: Driver will stand trial in Utah

According to reports, the man allegedly drove up onto a sidewalk where a woman who was sitting and smoking a cigarette. The vehicle struck and dragged for some distance. It slammed through a fence and a building before coming to a stop.

The victim’s widower is the one that found her under the vehicle. The couple had only been married approximately four months at the time of her death. The vehicle that hit her was gone by the time emergency personnel arrived. Paramedics rushed the woman to the hospital, but it was too late. She succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital personnel.

Even though it is believed that the driver may be an illegal immigrant, the victim’s widower may file a Utah wrongful death claim against him and any separate owner of the vehicle involved in the crash. If the driver is convicted of the criminal charges filed against him in this tragedy, that conviction may be used in a civil action as evidence of the driver’s negligence. Fatal DUI accidents take thousands of lives each year. In every instance, they have a lasting impact on the families of the victims.

Meaningful defense may benefit Utah man facing DUI charge

One man in Utah will undoubtedly be exploring his defense options after recently being charged. Reports stated that the man was allegedly behind the wheel of a vehicle that crashed into a home. Emergency crews arrived at the scene, and the man was taken to an area hospital due to suffering injuries in the incident. However, he was also under suspicion for DUI.

The man purportedly told EMTs that he had used heroin and consumed alcohol the night before the accident. Police also allegedly discovered heroin, meth, marijuana and unspecified drug paraphernalia at the scene of the crash. Additionally, the man had apparently been driving on a revoked license, and the vehicle did not have an ignition interlock device, which the man was also reportedly supposed to utilize.

Tests at the hospital allegedly revealed that the man had drugs in his system. As a result, he is currently facing a charge for DUI, and due to having three prior convictions for DUI in the last 10 years, this current charge will be upgraded to a 3rd-degree felony. Other allegations, including various drug possession charges and driving on a revoked license, have also been brought against him.

In order to address his situation, he will certainly want to gain more information on the felony DUI and other specific charges brought against him and his defense options. Obtaining this information could help him determine what strategies may allow him to take a meaningful approach to his case. This type of situation could befall any Utah resident, and individuals who do find themselves in such a predicament may wish to consider speaking with experienced attorneys for assistance.