Driver Who Fled Presumably DWI
A woman sadly died in an early morning car crash on Sunday in Arlington. But then, the driver of a pickup truck then rammed into the ambulance that had responded to the first accident. That driver and a passenger fled the scene.
Deadly Crash #1
The first deadly accident occurred at the intersection of Lincoln and Van Buren Drives in Arlington at 1:00 a.m. . A young woman, 22-year-old Rebecca Keel, struck a tree after losing control of her vehicle on a curve in the road. Police suspect that rainy weather and slick roads may have contributed to the crash. Sadly, the Hurst woman died before paramedics reached the accident scene.
Hit-and-Run Likely Alcohol-Related
In the second collision, the pick-up truck ran into the Arlington Fire-Rescue ambulance while first responders tried to help the occupant of the first wrecked car. The two occupants in the second vehicle fled to a nearby apartment complex. Police officers have apprehended the passenger and arrested him for public intoxication, a telling indication that the driver was also drunk. Law enforcement continues searching for the driver who fled the hit-and-run accident.
The two paramedics fortunately only sustained minor injuries that did not require hospitalization.
Leaving the Scene of a Serious Accident Now Subject to Increased Penalties in Texas
The driver of the white pick-up truck faces charges of leaving the scene of the accident. In 2013, Texas lawmakers passed legislation that increases penalties for hit-and-run crashes involving serious injuries. Under the revised legislation, drivers who leave the scene of an accident in which somebody dies are subject to the same penalties as intoxicated manslaughter. Prior to passage of the law, a person who fled the scene faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison because the crime was a third-degree felony. The tougher law makes leaving the scene a second-degree felony that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in jail.
In Sunday’s hit-and-run, the driver cost paramedics precious time as they attempted to help an auto accident victim. In addition, the driver put the lives of these brave first responders in jeopardy. Increased penalties seem fitting in this case. However, the driver may argue that she or he did not actually cause the death in the first incident and the second accident was minor.
Get the Help You Need After an Alcohol-Related or Hit-and-Run Accident
Berenson Law Firm represents victims injured by drunk drivers, by fleeing drivers, and by any one hurt in a vehicle collision. Call our Dallas-Fort Worth law firm at 817-885-8000 locally or 888-801-8585 toll-free to schedule a free consultation. We are here to help you recover.