With the increase in drunk driving over the holiday season, New York police officers often patrol the streets to catch as many drunk drivers as possible. Over New Year’s weekend, Nassau police made 21 more DUI arrests than last year. If you are arrested and convicted for drunk driving, the severity of your consequences may increase if you injure another person.
A Nassau County DUI patrol officer was struck by an alleged drunk driver over New Year’s weekend. The officer was in an unmarked vehicle, traveling in Roslyn in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, when he was apparently struck head-on by a pickup truck that crossed over a double yellow line. Emergency Services’ personnel and an off-duty officer worked for 45 minutes to free the patrol officer from his vehicle. He was taken to a local hospital for serious, life-threating injuries, including broken vertebrae in his neck, a broken arm and leg, and a cracked rib.
The alleged drunk driver also suffered an ankle injury in the accident. He has been charged with DWI and vehicular assault charges.
Many people believe that being charged with a DWI, is basically the same thing as being convicted of one. However, this is not the case. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you come up with strategies to defend yourself against the charges. Remember, it is the prosecutor’s job to prove that you are guilty. If there is not enough evidence, or the evidence is tainted in any way, they may not be able to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, your charges may be dropped or reduced.
Source: New York 4, Long Island Officer on DWI Patrol Struck by Alleged Drunk Driver
