An out-of-state driver is facing charges of second-degree assault by operating a vehicle while intoxicated after he was indicted by Missouri judge this month. The man, age 27, is accused of causing an accident in early August 2013 west of Carthage, injuring one man so severely that he was sent to the hospital emergency room. That driver admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel, and he reportedly failed field sobriety tests at the scene of the accident. The man will appear in trial court for the drunk driving charge in early February.

Authorities report that the driver struck another vehicle from behind, sending that car spinning into a ditch. The victim in this case suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, and is not clear whether he intends to file a civil suit in the matter. Authorities at the scene of the crime found the at-fault driver’s car resting on its roof in the southbound lanes of Missouri Highway 171; officers say that the man smelled like alcohol. Further, the man admitted to attending a bachelor party before the incident. A blood alcohol content test revealed that the man’s BAC measured 0.154 percent, which is almost two times the legal limit for driving in the state of Missouri.

The driver in this case is facing alcohol-related charges in addition to allegations of being involved in an injury accident, according to local news sources. Even though the man has been arrested and charged with drunk driving offenses, he is not automatically considered guilty. Those who are facing DWI offenses in the state of Missouri may be able to avoid convictions and serious penalties by consulting the expertise of a qualified attorney. These experienced professionals can help defendants learn more about their legal rights, which may even include refusing a breath test. An arrest for DWI offenses does not have to lead to license suspension or other punishment; a knowledgeable drunk driving defense attorney may be able to help.

Source: The Joplin Globe, “Arkansas man to stand trial in DWI accident” No author given, Jan. 09, 2014