On July 22, a Colorado man was cited for drunk driving after he allegedly caused a car accident on Black Bear Pass, a mountain road that connects Silverton and Telluride. The road is narrow with steep drop-offs, making accidents extremely dangerous.
The 28-year-old man was allegedly driving recklessly when he went over a hill and collided with a Jeep Wrangler that was parked at the side of the road. There were four passengers sitting inside at the time of the accident. The man ended up rear-ending the Jeep before continuing to drive off the road for another 40 yards. He then hit some boulders, causing the airbags in his vehicle to deploy. The accident did not cause the Jeep to go off the road.
Three of the four occupants in the Jeep were airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital. The man who was accused of drunk driving was also taken to a hospital by helicopter. None of the injuries were considered to be life-threatening, and everyone was treated and released the same day. Authorities are also investigating if the drunk driver’s vehicle experienced a mechanical failure. According to reports, witnesses said that the man was honking his horn prior to the accident.
When a person is accused of driving while impaired, the consequences can be serious. Penalties include jail time, fines, mandatory probation and more. It’s important to note that DUI cases can move fast, giving a defendant little time to prepare a defense. However, a criminal law attorney may assist with handling the criminal aspect of a drunk driving case as well as the administrative aspect.
