Davis Law Group, P.S.

Man killed in DUI collision near Kennewick

Story Highlights:
One dead in Kennewick accident
Motor vehicle collision caused by DUI



Date: April 24, 2011, 04/24/2011
Location: Kennewick, Benton County, Washington
Type: Car accident, DUI collision
Outcome: One dead

A man was killed in a one-car DUI collision near Kennewick on Sunday morning.

Early Sunday morning, a 21-year-old man was driving on Interstate 82 when he crossed the center median and rolled his vehicle, coming to a stop on the right shoulder.

Of the three passengers in his car at the time of the crash, 21-year-old Michael Hernandez, who was not wearing his seatbelt, died at the scene. The driver was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center and his second passenger was taken to Kennewick General hospital for treatment. The third passenger was released at the scene.

Washington State Patrol is investigating the accident but has reported that one of the causing factors was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle collisions. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 16,694 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States in 2004. This figure represents 39% of all traffic incident deaths. In fact, more than 500,000 Americans are injured annually in drunken driving crashes.In 2008, 255 people in Washington State lost their lives in fatal alcohol related motor vehicle collisions. One hundred eighty-two (182) of those accidents involved a drunk driver whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.08 or higher. In Washington State, 34% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involve a driver that was under the influence of alcohol. In Washington State, 54% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involve a driver that was under the influence of alcohol. In 2009 265 people in Washington State lost their lives in drunk driving crashes.

Driving under the influence (See RCW 46.61.502 for more information)
A person is guilty of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug if the person drives a vehicle within this state:
(a) And the person has, within two hours after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506; or (b) While the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or any drug;
(c) While the person is under the combined influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor and any drug.

Seattle Drunk Driving Victim Attorneys
Chris Davis and everyone at the Davis Law Group sends out their heartfelt condolences for the family and friends of Michael Hernandez and hope they can find a knowledgable wrongful death lawyer that will help settle their case and get them the compensation they deserve for suffering such a tragic loss.The drunk driving victim lawyers at Davis Law Group have experience dealing with collisions that were caused by someone who was under the influence of alcohol. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed due to drunk driving crash Seattle attorney Christopher Davis has a team of dedicated and experienced lawyers th at will fight for the highest possible compensation for you.