Head-on collisions can be especially tragic. In most head-on accidents, the wrong way driver is 100% at fault, and the other driver dies or suffers grievous injuries. In a recent head-on collision in Lee County, a wrong-way driver suspected of driving while intoxicated collided with another vehicle and killed a woman who was the mother of a 5-year-old girl.
The accident
According to police accident reports, a woman was traveling south on U.S. 19 near Mayhaw Road. Another vehicle was traveling north on the same road. Investigators have stated that the north bound vehicle was in the wrong lane. The two vehicles collided, and the woman who was driving in the southbound lane succumbed to her injuries nine days later.
The driver of the northbound car was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and driving on the wrong side of the road. The suspect and another person riding in his car were hospitalized for treatment of their injuries.
Further investigation
As with many head-on collisions, the cause of the accident will not be fully known until the Georgia State Patrol’s accident investigation team completes its investigation. A spokesman for the police department said that more charges may be filed when the investigation is completed.
What next?
The suspect in this case is facing serious criminal charges. If he is convicted, he could face many years in prison, lose his driving privileges and be required to pay a significant fine. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to confer with an experienced criminal defense attorney for an evaluation of the evidence, assistance in providing legal arguments for the defense, and, if appropriate, assistance in negotiating an acceptable plea agreement with the prosecutor.