A drunk driver in Ballard ran a red light Wednesday night crashing into an innocent victim who ended up at Harborview Medical Center.
Some of the more serious injuries that my Bellevue personal injury law firm deals with are a result of a drunk driving accident. As an auto accident attorney, I am constantly reminded of the ability of a drunk driver to change an innocent victim’s life in an instant. In 2009, there were over 10,000 people who died in drunk driving accidents, constituting a third of all fatalities in traffic accidents. Recently, there have been more and more efforts by local police departments to stop drunk driving, but it remains a serious problem across the nation.
At approximately 10:46 p.m. on Wednesday night a drunk driving accident in Ballard sent a man to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Medics arrived at the scene shortly after the auto accident to provide emergency care. The accident occurred after a black Toyota sedan evidently ignored a red light and crashed into a brown Chrysler sedan. According to the police report, the man driving the Toyota was intoxicated and he was placed under arrest and transported to Northwest hospital for a blood draw to determine his BAC. Luckily, nobody was seriously injured in the accident.
It never ceases to amaze me that despite the statistics showing how dangerous it is, drunk driving is still a huge problem. People who make the decision to drive drunk are making a selfish, irresponsible decision that could change the lives of innocent people forever. However, in many cases, the punishment for drunk driving does not fit the seriousness of the crime. State legislators across the country need to step up and increase the punishment for drunk driving to tackle the root of the problem.
For tips on how to avoid drunk drivers on the road, check out this article.