On Jan. 29, the Hudson County Sheriff's Office indicated a woman from Clifton has been charged in connection with a fatal car accident that claimed the life of a Jersey City man in December. The 33-year-old surrendered to authorities on Jan. 26.
According to the sheriff's office, the defendant was intoxicated and driving well above the speed limit when her 2008 Toyota Highlander struck a 2002 Acura in West New York the night of Dec. 6. The 27-year-old Acura driver was also believed to have been drinking that night. Authorities said he lost control of his car while driving east on Hillside Road/Defino Way and crossed the center line, crashing into the defendant's Toyota.
The impact was so severe that the Acura smashed through a fence and slammed into the side of a mountain. The driver had to be cut from his vehicle by emergency workers, and he later died at Jersey City Medical Center.
While toxicology reports are pending for the decedent, investigators said the defendant's speed and intoxicated state were largely to blame for the severity of the crash. She was allegedly driving 57 mph in a 25-mph zone and had a blood alcohol content level of .10 percent. She has been charged with vehicular homicide, DWI and reckless driving.
Drunk driving charges, especially those connected to a fatal car accident, can result in severe penalties for those who are convicted. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to obtain a criminal defense attorney to vigorously fight the allegations in court. An attorney could review the evidence for weaknesses or inconsistencies and recommend appropriate defense strategies. In some cases, it may be advisable to negotiate a plea deal that reduces the most serious charges in exchange for a guilty plea.
Source: NJ.com, "Drunk driver charged in death of Jersey City man, authorities say," Kathryn Brenzel, Jan. 29, 2015
Tags: penalties