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Tag: drunk driving

  • Ethan Couch, “Affluenza Teen,” and Mom Found, Detained in Mexico–He Will Likely Get Off Easy Again

    Ethan Couch, known as the “affluenza teen,” was found in Mexico in the company of his mom, Tonya Couch. Ethan Couch has been a fugitive from justice since violating his probation and going on the run with his mother.

    Reuters reports the “affluenza teen” and his mom disappeared in November, prompting authorities in Tarrant County, Texas, to place Ethan Couch on their most wanted list, and issue a warrant for his arrest.

    Dubbed the “affluenza teen” for living a life so privileged he couldn’t fathom taking responsibility for his actions, Ethan Couch killed four people while driving drunk at the age of 16. His defense team used the “affluenza” term as part of their defense strategy. It worked, too, as Ethan Couch didn’t do any jail time for the deaths of four innocent people. Instead he was sentenced to probation, which he recently violated. It was via social media that Couch was spotted by authorities playing beer pong. That’s when he and his mom went on the run.

    Those hoping Ethan Couch gets a stiffer sentence this time around better not hold their breath. CNN reports that chances of that happening are very unlikely.

    Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson explained during a press conference about Ethan Couch on Tuesday, that the most jail time he can serve is 120 days in an adult facility. She made the following five points when discussing the situation.

    1. Ethan Couch was sentenced as a juvenile and violated his probation as ordered by juvenile court system.
    2. Under Texas law, Couch, now 18, would be punished for his violation in the juvenile system.
    3. The maximum sentence that a juvenile judge can dish out for a violation of his juvenile probation is imprisonment in a juvenile facility until Couch turns 19, which is April 11, 2016.
    4. The DA wants to transfer Couch’s sentence to adult court. But since this violation happened in the juvenile system, Couch effectively would start with a clean slate in the adult probation system. That is, the adult court judge could not punish Couch for violations he committed as a juvenile.
    5. At the time a judge reassesses Couch’s probation in the adult system, he has the power to put Couch in adult jail for a maximum of 120 days.

    The families of the people killed by Ethan Couch are likely suffering all over again. They no doubt hoped the “affluenza teen” might finally receive a far more adequate punishment for his crimes.

  • Affluenza Teen Ethan Couch Found, Detained in Mexico

    “Affluenza teen” Ethan Couch has been found in Mexico and is presently detained there. The Texas teen from a wealthy family has been a fugitive from justice since breaking his probation and going on the lam. The affluenza teen was dubbed as such during his trial for killing four people while driving drunk at the age of 16.

    Reuters reports the teen and his mom, Tonya Couch, disappeared in November, prompting authorities in Tarrant County, Texas, to place Ethan Couch on their most wanted list, and issue a warrant for his arrest.

    The affluenza teen was discovered in Mexico–in the company of his mother–and will be turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service. A Tarrant County official confirmed on Monday that Ethan Couch was being held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

    Ethan Couch was 16 when he was speeding while driving drunk. His blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he slammed into a stranded motorist on the side of the road–killing that motorist, along with three people who had stopped to offer help.

    One of the passengers in the affluenza teen’s vehicle has permanent brain damage.

    The affluenza teen fled to Mexico after a photo turned up on social media, showing him playing beer pong, which was a violation of his probation. Ethan Couch’s father said his son’s passport was missing and the home he shared with his mother was cleared out. The father has been cooperative throughout the investigation.

    It’s uncertain what charges Tonya Couch will face one she is returned to the U.S. from Mexico.

    The affluenza teen will likely serve jail time upon his return from Mexico–instead of probation.

  • Tiffany Thornton Posts Instagram Tribute To Late Husband Chris Carney

    After the sudden death of her husband Chris Carney, actress and radio host Tiffany Thornton is finally starting to deal with the heartbreaking loss by opening up about her emotions on social media.

    The 35-year-old former lead vocalist of the band The Prom Kings died in a car crash early Friday morning in Hot Springs, Arkansas, along with driver Ezekiel Blanton.

    According to the police report, neither Carney nor Blanton were wearing seat belts when the SUV they were in failed to navigate a curve, causing them to slam directly into a tree. Upon further investigation of the events that led to the incident, Carney and his companion were said to have come from a bar called The Tavern in Little Rock, where they downed shots of Fireball Whiskey and Vegas Bombs before leaving the venue “completely wasted.” Tiffany Thornton, with whom Carney had been married for four years, finally broke her silence on Saturday when she posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram about her late husband.

    There are so many things I want you to know about Chris but most importantly you must know how earnestly he pursued the Lord, especially in the past year. No one is perfect in this world and we all have our battles but it’s the way we get back on our feet and turn it around that really counts. And he did it. He was so on fire for God and I know he flew straight into the arms of Jesus, his best friend. Please if you’re reading this know that Chris would want you to know the Lord. Don’t wait to run back to God. Our days are numbered and God is just waiting for you to come back to him. There is so much power in the redemption God gives us and I am so grateful that Chris and I got to fall in love all over again this past year. He was on such an amazing path for the Kingdom, having just gone on a mission trip to Peru with his dad where he shared his beautiful testimony and brought so many people to the Lord. He finished writing, directing, producing and editing his first Christian film and he and I got to star in it together as love interests who end up getting married. He was THE BEST father my children could ever have, an incredibly loving and sensitive husband, a wonderful brother and amazing son. He is already so dearly missed but I promise to spend the rest of my life sharing his testimony so that those who feel they have no place or have come from a place of struggle can learn that the love of the Lord can save us all. We will have a service in remembrance of him Monday, December 7th at 3pm and First Church of the Nazarene here in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Visitation will begin at 1:30pm. Thank you for your continued prayers for our family as we grieve the loss of my best friend Chris, the most incredible person I’ve ever had the blessing of knowing. A photo posted by Tiffany Thornton (@tiffthornton) on

    The post, which was accompanied by a sweet photo of the couple during their wedding dance, honored Carney as a “reformed” man who had recently discovered and nurtured a relationship with God. Some people have speculated that Tiffany Thornton was referring to her husband’s former struggle with alcoholism, which his mother claimed he had overcome in the past year.

    Tiffany Thornton also described him as “the best father my children could ever have, an incredibly loving and sensitive husband, a wonderful brother and amazing son.” She went on to invite their loved ones to his memorial service, which took place last Monday at the Church of the Nazarene in Hot Springs.

    Prior to the tribute post, Tiffany Thornton shared a photo of Carney carrying their two young sons, Kenneth and Bentley, during a family moment at the lake.

    My life. My love. My angel.

    A photo posted by Tiffany Thornton (@tiffthornton) on

    Hollywood couple Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama, who are close friends of Tiffany Thompson and Chris Carney’s, also posted their sympathies on Twitter.

  • ‘2 Drunk 2 Care’ Tweeter Gets 24 Years for Fatal Crash

    ‘2 Drunk 2 Care’ Tweeter Gets 24 Years for Fatal Crash

    Kayla Mendoza, the Florida woman who sent an infamous string of tweets before causing fatal car crash back in 2013, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.

    According to police, Mendoza went out for margaritas after work and at approximately 1:45 am, the then 20-year-old drove onto the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County – driving the wrong way. Soon after, she slammed head-on into another car, killing both people inside.

    The sad story was highlighted by an ominous tweet sent less than three hours before the crash:

    Mendoza pleaded guilty to two counts of DUI manslaughter earlier this year. She actually faced up to 30 years in jail, but was only handed 24. She will also serve six years probation and is never allowed behind the wheel for the rest of her life.

    According to NBC Miami, Mendoza begged for forgiveness during her sentencing.

    “No matter how much time passes they will never leave my heart. I think about them everyday and I regret my choices everyday,” she said. “I don’t remember deciding to drive that night so I can’t even tell you what was going through my mind when I made that decision. I have no excuses for anything I’ve done, I just ask for forgiveness,” she said while reading a prepared letter.

    The families of the two she killed were unforgiving, apparently. They asked for the maximum sentence, saying she ruined their lives forever.

  • Pedestrian Lodged in Windshield Dies

    Pedestrian Lodged in Windshield Dies

    A pedestrian who was hit by a car in southern New Jersey, and then stuck in the windshield as the driver continued down the highway for over a mile has died.

    Ocean County prosecutors said Kenneth Moeller, 61, of Lanoka Harbor, died Monday night, a week after he was hit on a highway shoulder. The driver of the vehicle was Marcos Ortega, 33, who kept moving for roughly 1.5 miles after the collision, before being pulled over by police. The incident occurred on November 10 in Ocean Township.

    Ortega, of Little Egg Harbor, was initially charged with leaving the scene of an accident and causing serious bodily injury to another while driving under the influence. Since Moeller has died, Ortega now faces more serious charges, and is being held on $250,000 cash bail, with no ten percent option. It is unclear if Ortega has hired an attorney.

    Prosecutors said that authorities had received reports of a man driving erratically, with what looked like another man lying on the hood of his car. When police finally pulled Ortega over, Moeller was discovered to be lodged half way into the windshield. Blood samples were taken from Ortega at the scene, and the results are pending.

    DUI and alcohol-related vehicular incidents cause an estimated $45 billion in damages every year. A blood alcohol content assessment in excess of a state’s given threshold dictates a criminal offense with no need to prove impairment. In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he or she operates a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or greater.

    One can be arrested for operating an animal while intoxicated as well. A Boulder, Colorado man was arrested after riding his horse, Dillon, while under the influence last September. Drunken horse rider Patrick Schumacher was arrested on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty, prohibited use of weapons and reckless endangerment. Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident.

  • Leah Remini, Jennifer Lopez Hit by Alleged Drunk Driver

    Leah Remini and Jennifer Lopez were involved in an alleged drunk driving accident in Malibu on Saturday, when a presumably intoxicated driver rear ended the car Remini was driving. Lopez was in the passenger seat. Her children–twins Max and Emme–and Leah Remini’s daughter Sofia were all in the backseat at the time of the crash. The alleged drunk driver fled the scene following the crash. Fortunately neither the former King of Queens star nor any of her passengers were injured in the crash.

    TMZ reports that law enforcement officials confirmed that the alleged drunk driver fled the accident scene. J Lo reportedly used a few choice words to describe the driver as she called 911 to both report the accident and describe the vehicle that hit them. She then shared a photo of herself with Leah Remini on Instagram and described the situation to her followers.

    “Sitting at a light, Riding high right before some drunk fool rear ended us in my new whip!!! Thank god everyone ok!!! #GRATEFUL #THANKYOUGOD #DontdrinkandDrive!!!! #cursedthatfoolout #theBronxcameout #dontmesswithmycocnuts #mamabear #leahstayedcalm #thatwasweird,” she captioned the shot.

    It seems the ‘Booty’ singer was letting Leah Remini drive her new car. Remini, however, was completely content to concentrate on the good in her day rather than on the alleged drunk driver who hit them. She reposted a photo of Jennifer Lopez’s twins, along with her ten-year-old daughter Sofia riding in the backseat.

    “#Repost from @jlo with @repostapp — These three cuties make my day!! #Coconuts #Sofia #lunchwthekiddies #bigpimpin’ #brooklynindahouse,” she captioned the photo.

    Fortunately no one was injured or worse during the alleged drunk driving crash that involved Leah Remini and Jennifer Lopez, as well as their children. This certainly could have turned out much worse. Hopefully states will continue to crack down on their drunk driving laws. Too many people die on America’s roads each year as a result of their careless actions.

    It’s unknown thus far if the alleged drunk driver who hit Leah Remini and Jennifer Lopez has been apprehended. It will be interesting to learn what–if any–legal action can be taken if and when he or she is caught.

  • Dina Lohan: Lindsay Lohan’s Mom Sentenced for 2013 DWI

    Dina Lohan was sentenced on Tuesday for her 2013 drunk driving charges. The mom of actress Lindsay Lohan was sentenced to 100 hours of community service as well a a one-year suspension of her drivers’ license. When she does drive again she is subject to the use of an interlock device that will only allow her car to start if she is sober. In addition she must participate in drunk driving classes and serve on a victim’s impact panel.

    Lohan was arrested last year in Oyster Bay, New York, for driving her car 22 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Her blood alcohol level was 0.2 percent at the time of her arrest. Dina pleaded guilty last month and accepted a plea deal.

    Mark Jay Heller is Dina Lohan’s lawyer. He sent the following statement to ABC News.

    “In spite of the fact that the District Court of Nassau County dispenses the sternest DWI Sentences in America, which traditionally provides for a period of incarceration and three years of Probation, Dina Lohan’s Sentence did not provide for any period of incarceration or Probation, in light of Dina Lohan’s exemplary record with no prior arrest history and in deference to the Nassau County Screening Evaluation of Ms. Lohan which concluded that she has no alcohol or substance abuse issues,” the statement read.

    He continued, “Clearly, it was recognized that Dina Lohan has been a life-long resident of Nassau County, a good and loving Parent to four children and the arrest was borne out of an isolated act of indiscretion on the occasion of her 50th Birthday. Dina Lohan is happy to put this unfortunate event behind her.”

    How nice that Dina Lohan’s lawyer is making big bucks to make excuses for his client. Is it any wonder that Lindsay Lohan turned out the way she did? Dina Lohan is a train wreck who makes excuse after excuse for both herself and her daughter and ought to be completely ashamed of her parenting skills.

    The only blessing in this entire court case is that no innocent victim was injured or killed at the hands of Dina Lohan. Inevitably she would have paid her way out of that kind of situation, too.

    The judge who sentenced Lohan was quick to respond to the statement her attorney made in court, noting that she created her own destiny with regard to this drunk driving case.

    “The only person responsible for this onerous ordeal is Ms. Lohan herself,” the judge said. “Fortunately, you didn’t kill anybody or kill yourself. If there’s a next time, you might not be so lucky.”

    “There won’t be a next time,” Lohan replied.

    Might Dina Lohan one day eat those words?

    Image via YouTube

  • Samantha Ramsey, 19, Shot Dead by Kentucky Deputy

    The Boone County, Kentucky Sheriff’s Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenage driver over the weekend by a deputy who claims the deceased was attempting to run him over.

    Deputy Tyler Brockman shot Samantha Ramsey, 19, of Covington, Kentucky, just after 2 a.m. Saturday, as she was leaving a bonfire party in a field along the Ohio River. A dash cam video recorded from Brockman’s cruiser depicts the deputy approaching Ramsey’s car, but didn’t capture the shooting. Brockman stated that after ordering Ramsey to stop her car, the teen accelerated, causing the deputy to roll over her hood and hit the windshield. One of Ramsey’s passengers, Chelsey Pendleton, claims that Brockman had willingly jumped onto the hood of the car from the side of the vehicle.

    Boone County Sheriff’s Department Spokesman Tom Scheben commented that deputies are trained to “protect themselves first” when suspects approach them with vehicles. Scheben adds that the investigation will be turned over to Commonwealth’s Attorney Linda Tally Smith, who will ultimately decide whether to refer the case to a grand jury. Statements will be taken from Ramsey’s passengers, as well as from witnesses who were at the party.

    Here is the full dash cam footage from Brockman’s cruiser:

    Pendleton’s mother Donna said that as her daughter was sitting in the back seat behind Ramsey, “She heard pop, pop, and she ducked. Then she heard pop, pop, and there was a bullet right where she (had been). If she had not have ducked, it would have been worse for her.”

    Ramsey had been convicted of drunk driving in Kenton County, Kentucky in August, and her license was suspended for 120 days. Kentucky considers anyone under 21 with a blood-alcohol level of 0.02 or greater to be legally drunk.

    Brockman was treated for a leg injury the morning of the shooting, which will be considered in the investigation, which is still pending lab results.

    Image via Facebook

  • Affluenza Teen’s Family Gets a Break on Rehab Fees

    Remember how outraged everyone was after the defense attorney for Ethan Couch, also known as “Affluenza Teen,” argued that his client was a victim of his family’s wealth, which affected his judgment when he decided to drive drunk? And then there was the equally infuriating decision by the judge to sentence Couch to 10 years probation and rehab–no jail time–for an accident he caused that killed four people. To further add insult to injury, it was revealed yesterday that Affluenza Teen’s parents are getting a huge break on the cost of his expensive rehab treatment on the taxpayer’s dime.

    In June 2013, Couch ran off the side of the road while driving his Ford F-350. Couch struck and killed four pedestrians, plus severely injured two of his own passengers. Couch, then 16, had a blood alcohol content level of .24 at the time of the accident, plus had traces of Valium in his system. During Couch’s trial six months later, his lawyer argued that he suffered from a disease called “affluenza.” Apparently having rich parents caused Couch to have poor judgment and to be unable to understand that his actions have consequences. Couch was eventually sentenced to 10 years probation and an undisclosed period in a rehab treatment facility.

    According to Star-Telegram out of Forth Worth, the cost of the rehab facility the now 17-year-old is being treated at, the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, is $715 per day. At that rate, a month at the facility will cost just over $21,000. Even though the teen’s parents originally offered to foot the bill for a posh, out-of-state rehab facility, they will only have to pay a fraction of the cost for the state facility.

    Following a hearing on Friday morning to decide how much Couch’s parents should pay for his rehab costs, it was determined that they should pay only $1,170 per month. No, we didn’t leave off a zero on that figure. Affluenza Teen’s parents will pay just under $1,200 per month for a facility that costs $21,000.

    “The family respects the decision of the facility and of the court and will honor the payment system that the court has put in place,” said Lance Evans, the attorney for Couch’s parents.

    The news that Couch’s parents aren’t obligated to pay more for their son’s expensive treatment has angered the masses. The decision is being discussed all over Twitter and Facebook, and it’s safe to say that most people are completely disappointed with the system yet again.

    Even though Couch’s parents are getting off easy on the cost of the rehab facility, it is likely that they will be forking over cash soon. Affluenza Teen’s parents face multiple lawsuits related to the accident, and some of the plaintiffs are asking for more than $1 million in damages.

    Image via YouTube

  • Man-On-Car Murder Sentencing Postponed

    Man-On-Car Murder Sentencing Postponed

    A California woman who drove two miles while drunk through the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance with a dying man on her windshield has had her sentencing for murder charges postponed.

    Substance-abuse counselor Sherry Lynn Wilkins, 52, was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder, drunken driving and hit-and-run for the accident that killed 31-year-old Phillip Moreno in Torrance in November, 2012. Wilkins faces 45 years to life in prison, and was to be sentenced today.

    The sentence had become so substantial, as Wilkins had committed two previous felonies, which makes her eligible to fall under California’s three strikes law. Prosecutors had said Wilkins’ hitting of Moreno “struck at human dignity,” and noted that her blood alcohol level at the time of the incident was over twice the legal limit.

    Though, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said today’s scheduled sentencing of Wilkins will be postponed until June. No details concerning the change of schedule were provided.

    Wilkins, a self-proclaimed recovered addict, had said she’d been “self-medicating” due to a knee replacement surgery, and that she wasn’t drunk, just buzzed. She’s consumed 3 shots a vodka and a Budweiser beer and Clamato before getting behind the wheel, and ended up hitting Moreno with such force that his shoes came off, and he’d became embedded in her windshield. Other drivers noticed, swarmed her car, and took her keys before police arrived at the scene.

    After the guilty verdict was read, Deputy District Attorney John Harlan commented, “We do not tolerate someone who does not pull over when they see someone on their windshield.”

    Wilkins had testified that she never saw Moreno, and it was as if he’d fallen out of the sky.

    Image via YouTube

  • David Cassidy Pleads “No Contest” In DUI Case

    On Monday, former teen heartthrob David Cassidy plead no contest to a drunk driving incident that occurred during January. The star was originally pulled over by a California Highway Patrol officer for taking an illegal turn at a stoplight near the Los Angeles International Airport; however, the officer then decided to check Cassidy’s blood alcohol level.

    The former star of the 1970’s hit television show The Partridge Family was sentenced to serve three months in an alcohol rehabilitation facility. In addition to the rehab stint, Cassidy was also ordered to pay fines, participate in an alcohol education program, and serve five years of probation.

    The 63-year-old actor and musician has had a challenging year. Last month it was announced that the star’s wife, Sue Cassidy, had filed for divorce. Ongoing legal proceedings have also taken a toil on Cassidy. According to Jo-Ann Geffen, who is David Cassidy’s manager, the musician was on the path to recovery before the recent onslaught of stressful events.

    “David just completed a stint in rehab and was doing very well in sobriety. He was in Los Angeles to attend depositions by Sony Pictures Television, respondents in a lawsuit filed by Cassidy in 2011 over what he claims are monies long due him from Partridge Family merchandise, home video, etc. After attending his and his manager’s depositions, it appears as if the pressure led to a brief relapse,” Geffen said.

    David Cassidy recently spoke about his battle with alcoholism. “This has been a very difficult time for me battling this deadly disease, like millions of others in our country. I will remain in treatment for as long as necessary and I am getting the best care I can possibly get anywhere. I am working as hard as any human being to live a sober life. I am truly grateful to all of my friends and fans who have sent me thousands of letters and messages in support,” he said.

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Amanda Bynes: Plea Deal in 2012 Drunk Driving Case

    Amanda Bynes copped a plea deal in a drunk driving case that goes back to 2012. During her arrest she refused to submit to any type of sobriety testing. She entered a plea of no contest to the misdemeanor charge of reckless driving with an alcohol component during her sentencing on Monday. She did not appear at the Los Angeles Superior Court where the hearing took place.

    Judge Edward Moreton sentenced the former Nickelodeon star to three years of probation as well as three months of an alcohol education program. It was back in April of 2012 when the actress was arrested in West Hollywood after she swiped the side of a patrol car with her BMW. She was charged with DUI after refusing the sobriety test.

    That incident was the beginning of the public recognition of Amanda Bynes’s apparent mental illness. Her behavior became more bizarre from that point on. She was known for wearing bizarre wigs and disguises out in public and even at court hearings. She even went so far as to send a tweet to President Obama in which she asked him to fire the officers who arrested her for the DUI incident.

    It was about a year ago that Amanda Bynes entered a facility for psychiatric care after starting a fire in front of a home in Thousand Oaks–a suburb of Los Angeles. Her mother was granted temporary control of the actress’s legal and financial affairs. Bynes is presently out of the facility now and said to be living with her mother, who is often seen dropping Bynes off at the gym. She is also on probation for driving with a suspended license.

    Hopefully this is the last of the court cases for Amanda Bynes. The young star needs to work hard on putting the pieces of her life back together. She is likely still under some sort of out patient psychiatric care. With the help of her family she can likely function on her own again and possibly even re-enter the celebrity world one day.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Breathalyzers in Bars May Save Lives

    Breathalyzers are the latest trend to be hitting bars across the nation, as a proposal from a state representative in Utah offers a plan that would include the alcohol level-testing machines in bars and pubs, according to the Associated Press.

    Draper Republican Representative Greg Hughes has offered an up-and-coming proposal in the state of Utah which would allow bars across the state to activate breathalyzer-type machines in their businesses. Hughes says that the plan is not mandatory, nor will any data ever be released to police.

    However, many bar owners in the area wonder just how effective the plan may be, and might it even worsen the statistics on drunk-driving deaths?

    Says Bob McCarthy, the owner of Garage on Beck in Salt Lake City, “Somebody could feel they shouldn’t be driving but the number says 0.08, which is right on the border, so maybe they’ll go and they shouldn’t go,” later adding, “Just know how much you’ve had to drink and whether you’re okay to drive.”

    McCarthy’s question isn’t that far-fetched; approximately 42% of college-age kids today admit that they are regular “binge drinkers.” The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as “drinking so much within two hours that Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels reach 0.08g/dL, which is about four drinks for a woman, and five for a man.”

    The Century Council is a non-profit organization founded by a group of distillers in 1991 who were aiming to take action in the growing national problem of drinking and driving. That group now offers a National Advisory Board comprised of varying professionals who are dedicated to assisting the organization with implementing new programs and policies regarding drunk-driving awareness.

    The Century Council’s website offers national statistics relating to drinking and driving accidents, and the figures are astounding.

    The Council says that according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Association, in 2010 there were a total of 32,885 fatalities in the U.S. stemming from roadways and traffic accidents. Of those 32,885 deaths, nearly one-third of them were from drunk-driving accidents – 10,228 to be exact, which means that exactly 31% of traffic-related deaths in 2010 can be attributed to people who were driving while under the influence of alcohol.

    Also outlined in the plan are measures to avoid scaring bar and restaurant owners away from the idea, stipulating that while the machines can cost up to $1,000, many places that currently have the machines charge up to $2 per reading for users, and that it can substantially help establishments fight potential lawsuits when a patron from their bar is in an accident after leaving.

    Hughes says his proposal is a no-brainer: “It just makes good sense,” the politician said.

    Image via AlcoBuddy1, YouTube.

  • Pomona Freeway Crash: Drunk Driver Likely To Blame

    It is a scenario that is both terrifying and yet sadly common: Lives loss due to the decision of at least one person to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

    At about 4:40 am on Sunday morning, 21-year-old Olivia Carolee Culbreath was headed east in her red Chevrolet Camaro along westbound 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar, California. Culbreath was driving in the wrong lane, headed directly into oncoming traffic. Witnesses would later tell law enforcement that she had been speeding, driving upwards of 100 mph.

    Her Camaro collided head-on with a red Ford Explorer. A Ford Freestyle is then reported by the Star Tribune to have colided with the Explorer.

    According to police, six people have since been pronounced dead as a result of the horrific crash. Four of those individuals were pronounced dead at the scene; two of the victims died after being taken to an area hospital.

    The identities of the victims have not yet been released. Police are withholding the information until the family of each victim has been notified.

    The Los Angeles Times did learn that among the victims there was a 24-year-old woman from Chino and 24-year-old woman from Rialto. The sole male victim was 47 and believed to have been a passenger in the Explorer.

    Culbreath survived the crash but sustained a broken femur and a ruptured bladder. She was treated at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center where she was questioned by authorities regarding her role in the incident.

    Rodrigo Jimenez, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol, says that Culbreath has since been arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and felony manslaughter.

    Lt. Fred Corral of the coroner’s office said that based on what was found in the suspect’s vehicle, they do believe that alcohol was involved. Law enforcement is attempting to get a blood test to confirm the possibility.

    It was a tragic scene that Jimenez called, “100% preventable”. It is also another unfortunate and harrowing reminder of the pain and suffering caused by the decision to drink and drive.

    Image via HitHD

  • “Affluenza” Teen Still Gets No Jail Time After Killing 4

    On Wednesday, judge Jean Boyd ordered Ethan Couch to rehab in addition to his 10-year probation sentence. Couch is the 16-year-old Texan who killed four people and injured two with is father’s Ford F-350 pickup truck on June 15. The teenager had been driving drunk after being video taped stealing 2 cases of beer from a nearby Wal-Mart. At the time of the incident, Couch’s blood alcohol level was revealed to be 0.24, three times the legal limit in Texas. Couch also tested positive for valium. Despite this, he received zero jail time.

    As you can image, there has been intense public outrage regarding the outcome of the trial. The public anger intensified when the defense’s expert witness diagnosed Couch as having “affluenza” — a term used to claim that his family’s wealth impaired his ability to take responsibility for his actions.

    On Wednesday, prosecutors asked judge Boyd for 20 years in state custody on charges related to the two injured people. They were unsuccessful.

    Is Ethan Couch receiving special treatment because he comes from a wealth family?

    Fred Couch, Ethan’s father, is a multi millionaire and owner of a very successful metal works company in Fort Worth. His son received what amounts to a slap on the wrist for a crime that many believe would have  sent the “average Joe” to prison.

    Last year, CNN reported that judge Boyd sentenced an African American teenager to 10 years in juvenile detention after punching a man in the face. The blow inadvertently resulted in the man’s death. This is a stark contrast to sentencing Ethan Couch to probation and rehab for killing 4 people and injuring 2.

    Defence attorney Reagan Wynn said the judge did not use “affluenza” to make her decision. “She (Boyd) heard all the evidence and she made what she thought was the appropriate disposition,” he said.

    Eric Boyles lost his wife, Hollie Byles, and daughter, Shelby after both were mowed down by Couch’s truck. He remains convinced that money played a role in the outcome.

    “Had he (Couch) not had money to have the defense there, to also have the experts testify, and also offer to pay for the treatment, I think the results would have been different,”  Boyles said after the trial.

    Here’s happened on the night of the incident.

    Image via YouTube

  • Yale Frat Death: Family of Victim Sues Fraternity

    In 2011, Brendon Ross crashed a U-haul truck at a tailgating party before a Harvard-Yale football game when bringing beer kegs to the party; he attempted to rev the engine, but wound up speeding forward, instead. This lead to the death of one woman, named Nancy Barry, as well as the serious injuring of fellow student Sarah Short and Harvard employee Elizabeth Dernbach. He was quickly charged with negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving, but he faced no jail time; instead, he was given probation. Now, Barry’s family is taking action against the fraternity that Ross belonged to.

    Ross was a member of the Yale chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. After the incident, the national organization took steps to remove itself from the Yale chapter, effectively distancing itself from the lawsuits being aimed at it. Barry and Short’s families, both, are now suing 86 former and current members of the fraternity chapter.

    The local chapter, rather than the national organization, is being charged because the national organization did not sanction the tailgating event, and its insurance company does not take responsibility for non-fraternity events. According to the Barry family attorney, Paul Edwards, the Yale chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon is voluntary and not organized in any legal way, and is thus not insured, either. These facts prompted the grieving families to aim their lawsuits at local members.

    On the topic of this move, Edwards said, “It was a move that we were forced to take by the defense and the posturing of the national fraternity’s lawyers.” He continued, saying, “They are effectively cutting off its local chapter and members. I think that defense is bogus. It’s our claim that what happened at Yale two years ago was very clearly, definitively and obviously a Sigma Phi Epsilon-sponsored fraternity event.”

    The lawsuits were filed on December 30th of 2013. Court dates have been neither determined or announced as of yet. Yale has tightened its tailgating rules since the event, no longer allowing large trucks or beer kegs on campus or at tailgating parties before games.

    Image via YouTube.

  • David Cassidy Arrested for Drunk Driving–Again

    David Cassidy was arrested back in August as shown in the featured video for drunk driving. He was arrested in L.A. on Friday evening for drunk driving yet again. The 63-year-old singer and former star of The Partridge Family TV show blew a .19–which is twice the legal limit. He was administered an alcohol test by the California Highway Patrol.

    “Cassidy was observed making a right turn on a red light, in violation of a black and white regulatory sign indicating, ‘No Right Turn On Red,’” the CHP said.

    The incident took place off the 405 Freeway, near the Los Angeles International Airport.

    The officer reportedly noticed “the odor of an alcoholic beverage was emitting from the vehicle” when he approached David Cassidy in his rented Chevy Impala.

    Cassidy was in New York when arrested back in August for drunk driving. He is a resident of Florida, and has been arrested for drunk driving there, too. It sounds like the former teen idol–known for hit songs like I Think I Love You–likely has a very serious drinking problem. Maybe a stint on Celebrity Rehab is in the cards?

    Hopefully someone close to David Cassidy will step in and insist that the actor and singer get some help before he either kills someone in a drunk driving car accident or seriously harms himself.

    Image via Wikimedia

  • Rich Kid DUI, Gets 10 Years Probation For 4 Deaths

    According to TIME, a 16-year-old in Keller, Texas was convicted of manslaughter after driving drunk and crashing into another vehicle that resulted in the death of four people. Because the kid is rich and suffers from “affluenza”, he wounded up getting 10 years of probation and mandatory psychological treatment.

    A·fflu·en·za

    [aa-floo-en-zah]

    noun

    1. In Layman’s terms: being so spoiled with wealth that you demand more, all while believing there are no consequences; the effects of greed.

    2. To be able to get away with murder because you’re wealthy.

    Affluenza is not (currently) recognized by the American Psychiatric Association; some psychologists assert that it doesn’t even exist.

    On the night of June 15, Ethan Couch and his seven teenage friends hopped in his Ford F-150 after they stole and drank some liquor from WalMart. With alcohol and Valium stirring in his system, Couch drove 70 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone; he ended up crashing his truck into a broken down vehicle parked on Burleson, Texas road, killing Breanna Mithcless, 24, the stopped vehicle’s driver, along with three others that were helping her. Two of Couch’s friends that were sitting in the truck bed suffered critical injuries.

    Couch admitted in court he was driving drunk, and testimony showed that his blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit (0.24 BAC).

    Couch’s legal team argued that the teenager’s lack of judgment was due to poor parenting.  Psychologist Dr. Gary Miller, who was assigned to Couch, said in the courtroom that: “The teen never learned to say that you’re sorry if you hurt someone.”

    ”If you hurt someone, you sent him money.” Miller added, saying that Couch’s “intellectual age” was that of an 18-year-old boy, but his “emotional age” was that of a 12-year-old.

    “He never learned that sometimes you don’t get your way,”

    “He had the cars and he had the money. He had freedoms that no young man would be able to handle.”

    According to Couch’s legal team, Couch suffers from affluenza – State District Judge Jean Boyd believed it; instead of the initial Texas sentencing guideline for fines up to $10,000 and between 2 and 20 years in the state penitentiary, on Tuesday, Couch got 10 years of probation. He was also assigned to a Southern California rehabilitation center, which costs $500,000 a year. His father said he’d pay for it. If Couch happens to mess up again, he could wind up in jail for 10 years, according to a statement from the Tarrant County District Attorney.

    Judge Boyd agreed that the therapy Couch needs for his affluenza wouldn’t be provided to him in prison.

    (image)

    Eric Boyles, the man who lost his wife and daughter Holly and Shelby due to the crash, said that Couch’s wealth bought him justice.

    “Ultimately today, I felt that money did prevail,” Boyles told the Star-Telegram after the sentencing.

    “If [he] had been any other youth, I feel like the circumstances would have been different.”

    According to the National Post, Jessie H. O’Neill, the granddaughter of Charles Erwin Wilson, a one-time president of General Motors, first popularized the world “affluenza” in 1997 with her book The Golden Ghetto: The Psychology of Affluence.

    No word yet on what new faux-medical terms can be used to tie in “sickness” with “poverty”, thus justifying an innate suffering due to socially economical disadvantages.

    Justice served?

    (Pictures via Heavy.com, YouTube)

  • Drunk Driver Who Confessed to Killing Man on YouTube Gets 6.5 Years

    A 22-year-old man who famously confessed, via YouTube video, to killing a 61-year-old man while drunk driving has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

    “It should have been me instead of an innocent man. I vow that I’ll do everything I can to prevent it from happening again and his memory from fading,” said Matthew Cordle at his sentencing hearing.

    On August 9th, Cordle contacted the Facebook page for Because I Said I Would, a non-profit organization that sends promise cards across the world for free in order to “better humanity through the power of a promise.” He asked them to help him film a video where he would confess to killing someone while driving under the influence. A little under a month later, that video was released and went viral.

    “On that night I made a mistake – I got into my truck, completely blacked out, and tried to drive home,” said Cordle in the video. “I ended up going the wrong way on the highway, directly into oncoming traffic – and I struck a car. I killed a man.

    Immediately following that, I consulted some high-powered attorneys who told me stories about similar cases where the drivers got off. They were convinced that they could get my blood tests thrown out, and all I would have to do for that was lie. But I won’t go down that path. My name is Matthew Cordle, and on June 22nd, 2013, I hit and killed Vincent Canzani. This video will act as my confession.”

    Last month, Cordle pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He said he didn’t want a trial and waived his right to appeal. He and his lawyer also offered no recommendation for sentencing.

    “After getting to know Matt, I can say with confidence that he truly regrets his decision that night. He describes the guilt he has as “insurmountable.” Knowing that Matthew has a tremendous amount of remorse for his actions, does that still mean he deserves years of incarceration? Absolutely. Drinking and driving is a serious crime; we must treat it as such. I know that it is harsh to say, but Matt’s regret will not bring back Vincent Canzani. We must enforce the law to discourage others from making this tragic mistake. I assure you that Matt agrees with me,” said a post on BISIW’s site.

    When Cordle finally does get out of prison, he will have his driving privileges revoked for the rest of his life.

    At the sentencing hearing, Canzani’s ex-wife said she didn’t think her ex-husband would have wanted Cordle to receive a maximum sentence.

    “Nothing will bring Vincent back,” Oates said. “I know what pain Matthew feels. The pain will stay with him until his death.”

    Post by Because I said I would.

    Images via Because I Said I Would, YouTube & Facebook

  • Uber, NFL Look to Tackle DUIs with New Safe Ride Partnership

    Uber, NFL Look to Tackle DUIs with New Safe Ride Partnership

    Drunk driving is a problem everywhere and in all walks of life, but it’s a really big problem for the National Football League. The high proportion of its players being involved in DUIs coupled with the popularity of the sport leads to a bunch of bad press and ruined lives. Plus, there’s always strong reaction from fans – mostly disbelief. “Dude, why are you, a millionaire, having to drive yourself anyway?”

    On-demand car service Uber is looking to help out. The company has announced a new partnership with the NFL Players Association that will help professional football players find “safe and convenient transportation” during this season. The program kicks off this month.

    Uber, a startup that allows those in need of a reliable ride to connect with those who can give a reliable ride, launched back in 2009 and is now in over 40 major cities. In terms of the new NFLPA deal, the Uber Rides program for players will be available in 17 NFL cities.

    Why not more? Well, some NFL cities like Miami and Houston have laws barring services like Uber from competing with taxis. Uber is looking to bring their service to those cities as well, but of course, that takes time.

    “Uber prides itself on finding creative solutions to difficult challenges and being able to use our platform to create a safer environment for players and their communities was a natural fit,” said Uber co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick. “Many professional athletes love and have used Uber organically so this was a great opportunity to help raise awareness about our technology while helping the NFLPA tackle a serious issue.”

    Every NFL player will be issued their own keychain cards with built-in Uber credits on them. They’ll also receive gift cards for friends and family.

    “The NFLPA is committed to serving our membership both on and off the field,” said NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith. “We view the partnership with Uber as an innovative way for players to have access to professional transportation while also pledging to each other, to their families and to the community to make responsible decisions.”

    Honestly, this is just a great deal for both parties involved. A lot of the time, drunk driving arrests are just a massive headache for the NFL – and other times they are a lot more that just an annoyance. Remember Josh Brent? Remember Donte Stallworth? Those amounted to a lot more than a headache.

  • Drunk Driver Does Not Give a Damn, Dances for Cops

    Don’t drink and drive. Just don’t do it. But if you’ve already made the bad decision and have been caught by the police, I guess you might as well go down with funky dance moves, boasting about cougars, and some simulated motorboating.

    Dale Bentley of Gahanna, Ohio will go down in internet infamy as that dancing DUI guy. Sorry, Dale. you may have plenty of other life achievements – but to the internet you’re always going to be this guy.

    Police pulled Bentley over for speeding, and proceeded to give him a variety of sobriety tests. Exasperated by the whole process, Bentley eventually gives up and just admits to it. He then begins to put on a show for police – and lucky for us it was all caught on the officer’s dash cam.

    Oh, Dale. Dale, Dale, Dale, Dale.

    He’s been charged with operating a vehicle while impaired, speeding, and failure to comply. He’s due in court on September 5th.

    [WTAM]