Ex-Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter that Resulted from Drunk Driving

           Yesterday, Ex-Bishop Heather Cook, who you will remember hit and killed a biker in Roland Park while she was driving drunk and then fled the scene, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, drunken driving, texting while driving, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.  Cook’s blood alcohol concentration that tested after the accident was nearly three-times the legal limit.  As a result of these events, it was discovered that this was not the first time she was in trouble for drinking and driving.  In 2010, Cook was convicted of a DUI on the Eastern Shore, but nobody was hurt in that incident.  Unfortunately, this time she struck and killed a 41 year old husband and father of two young children.

            The plea deal asks the Judge to sentence Cook to a maximum of 20 years in prison with 10 years suspended, which the State recommended.  In addition, there would be 5 years of probation included in the plea deal.  A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge will sentence Cook on October 27, 2015.  It is interesting to note that Cook originally pleaded not guilty during her preliminary hearing in April.

            This case is a perfect example of the horrific consequences of drinking and driving for both the offender and any victim injured or killed as a result.  An arrest for a DUI alone carries severe penalties, but a DUI combined with a manslaughter charge, that means you are driving drunk and kill somebody, carries extremely serious consequences, including jail time.

If you or a family member has been charged with DUI 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 to schedule an appointment at our office in Baltimore or one of our many other offices located throughout Maryland or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/

Maryland DUI Crash Victim Looks to Strengthen DUI Laws in the State

           A Hagerstown, Maryland man, Gary Clever, was a passenger in his daughter’s car one year ago when a drunk driver slammed into their car on Sterling Road.  Everyone in the vehicle was injured, but Gary suffered the worst.  Immediately after the accident, it was believed by many that he was paralyzed.  Sadly, he was indeed paralyzed from chest down with spinal injuries, staying in shock trauma for over two months and a rehabilitation hospital for 11 weeks.  Gary’s insurance stopped paying for the rehab treatment, and now he uses a therapy bike every day to continue improving.  Now, he has slowly regained movement in the paralyzed areas.

            

          As a result of everything Gary has gone through since the horrific accident, he and his wife, Deanna, have been trying to raise awareness about the state’s unfair drunk driving laws.  Their goal is to have Maryland lawmakers make DUI laws tougher for offenders.  For example, the man involved in this crash had already pleaded guilty to two DUI charges in 2004, yet he was still allowed to drive on Maryland’s roadways.  Current Maryland law requires minimum insurance coverage of $30,000 if you have a previous DUI charge.  That amount of money does not come close to covering medical bills and other expenses related to injuries sustained in a DUI car accident.  Gary believes DUI offenders should face higher financial penalties and be forced to carry more insurance if allowed to get back on the road again.  Fortunately, Gary should be allowed to return home in a month.  It will certainly be interesting to see what happens when Maryland’s legislators return back for Session in January 2016.  If any progress is made concerning DUI legislation, we will surely keep everyone updated.

           

          If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by the fault or negligence of a drunk driver and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

Maryland Drunk Driver Hits Police Car Injuring Officer

            Monday night, a police officer was parked on the side of the road after pulling over another vehicle.  While the officer was sitting in his police vehicle, a Toyota 4 Runner came crashing into the back of the police car on Matchbox Alley, which then hit the car in front of it.  Initial investigations revealed that the driver of the 4 Runner was driving under the influence of alcohol.  The police officer and the drunk driver were both transported to the hospital with minor injuries.  Charges are now pending against the drunk driver as police finish conducting their investigation of the accident.

            

           Every day Marylanders are driving drunk on roadways and highways statewide.  In fact, a recent study showed that every 30 minutes, a drunk driver is being arrested in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which includes Maryland.  There are far too many people on the roads driving drunk for police officers to be able to arrest every single one of them.  Drivers must make smart decisions when they are drinking, but those two things do not work well together.  All it takes is one DUI arrest to potentially cause you to face significant consequences and penalties.  Just make the smart decision if you are drinking and need a ride home to call an Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.  The risks of choosing to drive drunk far outweigh the benefits.  A drunk driver not only puts their own life in danger, but more importantly, he or she puts the lives of innocent people in danger too.

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 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 to schedule an appointment at our office in Columbia or one of our many other offices located throughout Maryland or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/

Head-On Crash Kills 1, Injures 5, Alcohol Believed to be a Factor

           Last night, an SUV with three occupants was driving on Darnestown Road near Germantown, and a car was also driving on the same road, but on the other side of the center line.  The SUV crossed the center line as it approached a curve in the road and it struck the front of the car.  The entire front end of the car was heavily damaged with all of the airbags deployed.  The SUV then left the road and crashed into a tree.  Two occupants from the SUV were thrown from the vehicle, and one of these passengers later died at the hospital.  The driver of the SUV was not thrown from the vehicle and suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.  The three occupants in the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries.  Montgomery County Police believe that alcohol was a factor in the crash, but are still investigating other possible causes.

If police do determine that alcohol was the cause for this fatal head-on collision, it would make this crash even more tragic.  Fatal car accidents that are attributed to drunk drivers happen far too often in Maryland.  The state’s Department of Transportation has a goal of zero deaths on Maryland’s roadways, and they continue to work tirelessly to improve the roads and make them safer for drivers.  Drunk driving related deaths are the worst kind of accident-related death because someone makes an irresponsible decision to drive drunk and then an innocent life is taken away because of that.   Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is devastating for any family, especially when it could have been prevented.  No amount of money will ever replace losing that person.  In a wrongful death case, the law allows for surviving estates to collect a financial recovery when a negligent party is held liable for the cause of the death.  Compensation for damages can include: loss of services, loss of future income, mental anguish, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and punitive damages.

            

           If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by the fault or negligence of a drunk driver and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Car-Accidents/Fatal-Car-Accidents.shtml

DUI Driver Hits and Kills Woman Changing Tire on the Side of Suitland Parkway

           Overnight, a drunk driver in a pick-up truck sideswiped a woman who was on the side of the road changing a tire.  The drunk driver kept driving after hitting the woman and then plowed into another car down the parkway.  This incident occurred on Suitland Parkway near Stanton Road at the Maryland/Washington, D.C. border.  Sadly, the woman who was changing her tire did not survive the accident.  The driver who was also hit by the drunk driver in the pick-up truck was not seriously injured.  The condition of the drunk driver is unknown, but he was arrested and charged with second degree murder, DUI, and leaving the scene of an accident.

            

           Drunk driving never results in a good outcome for anyone.  Unfortunately, oftentimes it is an innocent person that is seriously injured or killed as a result of somebody making an irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.  Even though many drivers believe they are safe on the side of the road, they are still at risk for being hit by another driver, especially if you are pulled over on the side of a highway.  When cars are travelling at high speeds on a highway, it is much easier for someone to lose control of their vehicle.  If you must pull onto the shoulder, it is always recommended to put your hazards on as well as your lights so that you are visible to other drivers.  In addition, if you must step outside of your vehicle, you should have some kind of safety vest or something to alert passing drivers that a person is standing on the side of the road.  There is likely nothing the driver who was changing her tire could have done to prevent being hit by a drunk driver because a person’s coordination is significantly compromised by the alcohol and the driver likely would have never seen the hazard lights or reflective safety vest worn by the woman.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed by a drunk driver and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Greenbelt or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/

UMD, College Park Can Sell Alcohol at Sporting Events Starting in the Fall

            Recently, the University of Maryland, College Park approved a one year trial for selling alcohol at events at Byrd Stadium and the Xfinity Center.  Last night, the Prince George’s County Liquor Board approved a plan to allow alcohol to be sold at events held at the school’s football stadium and basketball arena.  For this trial period, only beer will be sold at events, but if it is successful, wine could be added for sale as well.

            

           The University hopes this new plan will provide extra revenue for the school to use on student services and that it will help curb binge drinking at sporting events.  For example, West Virginia University has sold alcohol at football games since 2011 and has profited over $2 million, and alcohol-related incidents have decreased since selling alcohol began.  When sales begin in the fall at football games, there will be a one drink per transaction rule in place.  In addition, alcohol will not be sold near student sections and scanning devices will be used to check IDs so as to avoid underage students from obtaining alcohol.  Another safety measure the school is working on is a designated driver program to curb any DUI incidents.  With beer being sold at football games in the fall and basketball games in the winter, everyone needs to be reminded of the severe consequences of drinking and driving.  Maryland police will be increasing DUI patrols after sporting events in College Park to curb the number of drunk drivers on the roads in the area.

            

           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 you plan on drinking at UMD sporting events.  If that is not feasible, services such as Uber and Lyft are readily available and very easy to use.  And if those services are not feasible either, a taxi is always another safe option when you are drunk and cannot drive.

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 Greenbelt or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/

A Man Posing as a Police Officer Pulls Driver Over for DWI

            On July 4, a tall white man with brown hair and a mustache pulled over a vehicle and accused the driver for driving while impaired (DWI).  This fake Anne Arundel County police officer was driving a white Ford Crown Victoria with flashing red and blue lights, a police package spotlight, and a decal on the driver’s door that read “Police.”  This man identified himself as an Anne Arundel County police officer.  This “officer” had the driver blow into a breathalyzer device and had the driver walk in a straight line.  The “officer” then told the driver she was free to go, and then he sped off northbound on Route 97.  Police are still looking for this man impersonating a police officer.  Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to come forward to police.

          

         Last year, there were several people impersonating police officers in Maryland.  In 2015, there have not been as many people impersonating police officers in Maryland.  Someone who is caught impersonating an officer could face jail time and/or a substantial fine.

           

        If you are driving in the Anne Arundel County area be cautious and vigilant if you are pulled over by a police officer in an unmarked car.  Always check to make sure the police officer has proper identification if you are pulled over.

        If you or a family member has been charged with DUI 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 to schedule an appointment at our office in Columbia or one of our many other offices located throughout Maryland or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/