Maryland State Police Trying to Combat Drunk Driving

          Over the weekend, Maryland State Police arrested 80 drivers for drunk driving.  Numerous Maryland drivers continue to make the irresponsible decision to drive a car after consuming alcohol.  Yes, it is the easiest option, but it is also the most dangerous.

            One of the worst offenders arrested over the weekend was Felix Mateo, who was stopped twice by police for driving under the influence in the same night.  The first time, Mateo was stopped by police with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) more than twice the legal limit, and the police released him to his wife.  Later that night, police find Mateo driving on the road again exemplifying reckless behavior, crossing the center line, hitting curbs, and swerving into another car’s lane.  Officers pull him over once again.  Mateo’s BAC was still more than twice the legal limit.  He was charged with DUI twice.

            Another reckless drunk driver arrested over the weekend was caught driving 94mph in a 55mph zone and had his 9 year old in the car with him.  This driver was also arrested and charged with DUI, among other offenses.

            Driving drunk is never an option no matter the situation.  If you are driving and plan to drink alcohol, you must make a plan for getting home safely without driving yourself.  It is always good to arrange for having a designated driver.  If that is not feasible, driver services such as Uber and Lyft are readily available and very easy to use.  And if those services are not feasible either, a traditional taxi is always a safe option when you are drunk and cannot drive.

            The number of drunk drivers arrested every weekend in Maryland is too high, and remember those are only the few that are caught by police.  There are hundreds, if not thousands more that are not caught driving drunk.  There is no excuse for putting innocent people at risk.

             If you or a family member has been charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on DUI or DWI please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 and schedule an appointment at our office in Silver Spring or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/

Deadly Head-On Crash Centerville, Maryland

Sunday night, a deadly accident occurred in Centreville, Maryland.  Two people were killed in a head-on collision on Route 50 near Kent Narrows.  Maryland State Police said the two people killed in the crash were both residents of Salisbury, Maryland.  The cause of the crash is believed to be the driver of a Toyota Sienna minivan, who was driving the wrong way on the eastbound lanes of Route 50.  The driver of the Toyota was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was eventually discharged Monday afternoon.  Sadly, one of the passengers in the other vehicle died instantly at the scene and the other was pronounced dead at the hospital.

After conducting preliminary investigations, police investigators believe that alcohol was a factor in the crash, and speed might have been a factor, but was not determined as of yet.  Currently, no charges have been filed against the driver. 

Drivers who witnessed the crash say they saw the minivan fly by “at [a] very high speed.”  They also report seeing the minivan “make a big u-turn into traffic.”  Route 50 had been closed for several hours while investigators scanned the accident scene for evidence.  Maryland State Police are still investigating the crash and are asking anyone who witnessed the crash and has more information to contact police at 410-758-1101.

It is unfortunate how often drunk driving related fatal accidents occur.  It is never smart to get behind the wheel of a car after you have been drinking.  Assuming the police are correct in their belief that alcohol was involved, the driver who drove under the influence of alcohol made an irresponsible decision doing so by putting their life and the lives of others in grave danger.

If you have been arrested for a DUI/DWI it is important that you consult an experienced Maryland DUI attorney immediately because DUI is a criminal offense and carries potentially severe penalties.  An experienced attorney can guide you through the court process and find any possible defenses that can either mitigate the penalties in the case, or in some instances, lead to an acquittal or dismissal.  

If you or a family member has been charged with DUI or DWI and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on DUI or DWI please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/