Driver accused of DUI charged in New York car accident

A driver who allegedly admitted to being high on PCP at the time of a serious crash is now facing charges, according to local sources. New York police arrested the New York man on charges of driving under the influence of drugs as well as leaving the scene of a car accident. The crash apparently killed one person and injured several others. 

The accident report states the 31-year-old man was heading northbound when he struck an eastbound vehicle broadside. The force of the impact sent both cars into a third vehicle, and a fourth vehicle that had been traveling behind the accident scene crashed into the pileup as well. The driver of the second car was critically injured and was rushed to the hospital, where he later died. 

Everyone else involved in the accident were also taken to hospitals for treatment of largely minor injuries. The man appears to be willing to plead guilty to the charges filed against him, and has expressed regret to the family of the deceased man. So far, no trial date has been confirmed by police. 

Of course, a verbal confession will not guarantee a conviction in this case, but if the man takes ownership for his role in the car accident, it seems likely justice will be served in a New York court. In addition, the family of the deceased driver will be entitled to file a wrongful death suit against him. If he is convicted of the DUI charge, that will weigh heavily in the family’s favor in a civil court setting. 

Source: NBC New York, “Driver Charged in Deadly Long Island Chain-Reaction Crash Tells Reporters He Was High on PCP“, Aug. 12, 2015