After a decade of working as a Seattle personal injury attorney in a Bellevue injury law firm, I have seen the catastrophes that driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs can cause. In 2010, troopers in District 8 (Jefferson, Clallam, Kitsap, Mason, Gray’s Harbor, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties) responded to 2361 collisions. Of those collisions, 205 had alcohol and/or drug use listed as a contributing factor. In total, 1,703 arrests were made last year for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This number does not take into account the people who drove under the influence without getting caught. While it is lower than previous years, this number is still unacceptably high. Driving under the influence increases the chance of severe accidents and fatalities, and the consequences of driving under the influence can change someone’s life forever.

This last weekend happened to be a particularly tragic one. On March 5 and 6, four people died and nine others were injured in drug or alcohol related collisions in Washington State Patrol District 8.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday night, a trooper attempted to stop a Dodge Intrepid for a speeding violation in Shelton when the driver failed to stop. The chase ended with the vehicle losing control and driving off the freeway, hitting some small trees. Both people in the car were injured, and the driver was arrested and booked into Mason County Jail.

At 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, officers responded to a wreck where James Schuchard, 21, lost control of his vehicle on a curve in the road and left the roadway. The car struck a tree before rolling on its top. Three men were pronounced dead at the scene, and two more were treated at Mason General Hospital for injuries. Schuchard was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment, and faces charges of vehicular homicide.

At about 4 p.m. on Sunday, troopers responded to another two car collision on State Route 3 in Kitsap County. John Rogers was driving southbound when he rear ended a Jeep Cherokee that had slowed to make a left turn. The driver and passenger of the Jeep suffered minor injuries. Rogers was treated at the scene and then booked into Kitsap County Jail on charges of DUI, driving with a suspended license, and failure to install an ignition interlock device, according to the State Patrol.

Troopers responded to a two vehicle collision on State Route 112 in Clallam County on Sunday at 8 a.m. A car driven by Ellen DeBondt was struck by a Toyota pickup driven by Amber Steim when the pickup crossed the center line. Debondt was wearing a seatbelt, but was pronounced dead at the scene. Steim faces charges of vehicular homicide, and was transported to Olympic Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

These tragic deaths and injuries are completely avoidable, and they help to illustrate the unacceptable consequences of driving impaired. When deciding whether or not to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is essential that you take into account the costs that your actions could have on innocent people and families. The answer is simple: call a cab. For more information on how to protect yourself from a drunk driver, check out this article.

Losing a loved family member or friend is an incredibly painful experience.  Whether it be in a car accident or not, the last thing that you and your family want to have to deal with or worry about is legal issues and complications.  In an attempt to provide you with much deserved help and assistance, I have co-authored a book with attorney Patrick J. Kang which is a guide for families of Washington wrongful death victims.  The book is called, In Case of Death: Straight Talk on Washington Wrongful Death, and is available at no charge to Washington residents by clicking on the preceding link.

This information was provided as a service by Premier Law Group. Premier Law Group is based out of Bellevue Washington. Premier Law Group focuses on Washington personal injury cases such as:  Bellevue car accidents, Seattle wrongful death, Everett employment disputes, and Tacoma motorcycle accidents. Premier Law Group is also the creator of Straight Talk Law, a site designated to informing the public about different legal issues and provides books on Washington Auto Insurance, Washington Car Accidents, Wrongful Death and Washington Motorcycle Accidents free to Washington State residents.

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