Pennsylvania laws regarding drunk driving are stringent. Depending on the situation, a driver charged with DUI may face fines, jail time and many other penalties if convicted. The consequences increase in severity for multiple charges or if there are other circumstances present, such as driving in a school zone or causing an accident. One woman is facing multiple charges after being involved in an accident with children in her car.
The 31-year-old woman was driving east on a local highway when police say she lost control of her vehicle for unknown reasons. Her car struck a concrete barrier, rolled over and landed on its roof. There were four children inside the car, ranging in age from 12 to 2 years.
None of the children was seriously injured. However, the 7-year-old boy in the front seat was taken to the hospital with reports of injuries to his head. A toddler in a car seat suffered a bloody nose.
Reports could not confirm how the woman was related to the children. Police say the woman admitted that she had been drinking and acknowledged she should not have been driving. She allegedly refused to allow the hospital to take a blood sample to test her blood alcohol level, so it is unclear if Pennsylvania police obtained a warrant for that purpose. Nevertheless, she faces numerous charges associated with the incident.
A conviction for these charges may affect the woman’s relationship with the children, especially if she is their mother. Additionally, following a conviction for DUI, many people find their lives significantly changed because of the penalties involved. Seeking legal advice under such circumstances is highly recommended.
Source: CBS Pittsburgh, “4 Kids Injured In Rollover Crash, Driver Facing DUI Charges“, Julie Grant, Oct. 9, 2017
