The implications for drunk driving are significant, especially when this decision leads to an accident that causes harm to someone else. In Minnesota, a conviction for a DUI can result in consequences that may include time behind bars, loss of driving privileges and more. However, the price is especially high when drunk driving is responsible for a crash that kills another motorist. Recently, a defendant plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter after a speed and alcohol-related fatal accident.
Driving while intoxicated
This guilty plea stemmed from an accident that took place a few years ago. At the time of the crash, the defendant was behind the wheel of a vehicle while he was intoxicated. There was one passenger in the front seat when he lost control of the vehicle, veering off the road and striking a tree. The driver was speeding, going 90 miles per hour just before the crash.
The passenger died from the injuries she sustained in the crash. A blood alcohol content test performed on the driver found that he was at .224, which is almost three times higher than Minnesota’s legal limit of .08. The accident resulted in an investigation performed by the FBI and several state agencies.
When is pleading guilty ideal?
Each defendant has the right to seek the best possible outcome when facing criminal allegations, regardless of the charges against him or her. In this particular case, a guilty plea may have been the most effective way to pursue the lowest possible sentence. Each case is different, and it is helpful to have experienced defense counsel when facing drunk driving charges.
