South Florida Officer Charged with DUI After Car Crash

An Opa-Locka police lieutenant has been arrested for drunk driving after hitting another automobile. On the evening of June 20, the officer reportedly rear-ended another vehicle with his unmarked police car.

When another officer arrived on the scene, he reported that the lieutenant smelled of alcohol, his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot. He failed a field sobriety test and refused a breath test. The responding officer placed him under arrest for driving under the influence. The lieutenant now faces both careless driving and DUI charges.

Just because their jobs are to enforce the law doesn’t mean that police officers are above the law. When people operate motor vehicles while intoxicated, they put others on the road in serious danger. Although the officer in Opa-Locka did not seriously injure or kill anyone by his actions, many other instances of drunk driving have far greater consequences.

Every year, thousands of people die as a result of drunk driving.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that, in 2012, more than 10,300 people were killed in drunk driving crashes. Driving under the influence is so dangerous and so prevalent that almost every 90 seconds a person is injured in a drunk driving collision across the United States.

When drivers get behind the wheel after drinking, their motor skills, reaction time and judgment are severely impaired. They are ill equipped to handle the hazards that may arise in traffic. An individual with a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.10 or more is up to seven times more likely to cause a fatal car crash than a non-impaired motorist. 

If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving crash, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Contact a trusted Lake County auto accident attorney to learn more about your legal options.