MI Drunk Driving – Fatal Car Crash Kills West Michigan Man, Alcohol and Speed Involved

March 30, 2010

Throughout the legal career of an experienced Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is common to represent a number of individuals who have sustained severe personal injury or died after being involved in a car accident. Some of the most tragic of these incidents are drunk driving accidents, as they are completely preventable by designating a sober driver. The circumstances are similar in a recent case involving a West Michigan man who died after being involved in an alcohol-related car accident.

In the early morning hours of March 27th, Nicholas McCabe was coming home from a local tavern after a night of karaoke traveling northbound on U.S. 31. According to law enforcement officials, the Michigan drunk driving accident occurred when McCabe was driving his Chrysler 300 in speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, and he lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree. Unfortunately, as a result of the impact, McCabe died on the scene before emergency medical crews could revive him.  After a full medical examination at the hospital, McCabe’s blood alcohol content registered at 0.094 percent, slightly over the legal driving limit in the State of Michigan.

Records have stated that this was not McCabe’s first drunk driving altercation, even though it was his last. At the time of the Michigan drunk driving accident, he was currently on probation stemming from three previous driving while intoxicated convictions, displaying that he had a history of getting behind the wheel intoxicated. “It’s another tragic example of how speed and alcohol is a deadly combination,” commented Muskegon County Sheriff, Dean Roesler.

Being involved in a drunk driving accident is a traumatic experience for anyone to go through, whether you are the intoxicated motorist, a passenger, or in another vehicle on the road. As seen by the example of Thomas McCabe, driving while intoxicated can have life-changing consequences, resulting in severe personal injury or death. To prevent these types of accidents from occurring, drivers are encouraged not only to slow down, but to designate a sober driver if intoxicated to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident, it is essential to find answers to all of your many questions as soon as possible. Contact a hard-working Detroit drunk driving lawyer for the best legal advice and legal representation, as well as the most successful outcome for your personal injury claim.


Drunk Driving – Michigan City Pregnant Woman Charged with DUI

March 28, 2010

Throughout the legal career of an experienced Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is common to represent a number of individuals who have sustained severe personal injury or died after being involved in an accident, namely a drunk driving accident. These incidents are tragic as they are completely preventable by designating a sober driver. However, drunk driving cases become increasingly disappointing when prior convictions and pregnancy can not keep a motorist sober behind the wheel. In a recent case, a Michigan City woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated while she was pregnant.

In the evening hours of March 23, Amanda Leslie, 30, was stopped by law enforcement officials after she ran a stop sign on Michigan City’s east side. County Sheriff Deputy Andy Hynek stated that he was following her when he spotted Leslie commit the traffic violation. When he pulled her over, Hynek immediately noticed that she had bloodshot eyes, and her breath smelled of alcohol. He performed a number of sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer test. Leslie’s blood alcohol content registered as 0.144 percent, almost double the legal limit. As a result, she was immediately taken into custody for driving under the influence, which could have potentially caused a drunk driving accident.

This is not Amanda Leslie’s first DUI bust. When Hynek conducted a computer records check on her, it was discovered that she had three prior driving while intoxicated convictions. Her license was also suspended for ten years, and was still in effect until May of 2016. Furthermore, when Leslie admitted to police officers on the scene that she was five months pregnant and complained of severe pain from her mid-section. Hynek immediately called an ambulance, and she was taken to a local hospital. Both Leslie and the unborn child were determined to be healthy, and she was taken to the county jail for holding.

Driving while intoxicated can greatly increased the chances of an accident occurring that results in severe personal injury or death to not only the at-fault motorist, but to other drivers on the roadways. Therefore, it is essential to always designate a sober driver to make sure that everyone in the vehicle arrives to their destination safely. However, as a drunk driving accident is a traumatic experience for all involved, resulting in severe personal injury or death, it is essential to contact a hard-working Detroit drunk driving lawyer for help. Doing so immediately can provide not only the best legal advice and legal representation, but also help ensure the most successful outcome for your personal injury claim.


MI Recreational Accident – Police Currently Investigating Fatal Recreational Crash

March 21, 2010

As the Michigan temperatures warm, and the seasons change, more people are starting to resume activities that were put on hold during the winter months. Although these are generally fun and enjoyable activities, they can also be dangerous if any of the participants are not being careful. Being an experienced Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is all too common to represent clients who have sustained severe personal injury or died after a recreational accident, particularly in the spring months. The circumstances are similar for a recent ATV accident that turned fatal after two Michigan men fell off of their cycles.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department, Romeo residents Bradley Perzanowski, 25, and Jonathon Check 24, were traveling northbound on Fisher Road, just north of 32 mile road when the Michigan recreational accident occurred. One of the ATV drivers attempted to pass a pickup truck that was in front of him by going into the southbound lane, but crashed into a motorcycle that was also in the southbound lane. Upon hitting the motorcycle, the first ATV hit the second, and both men fell to the ground.

As a result of the Michigan recreational accident, both Perzanowski and Check died on the scene of the incident. Although the specific circumstances of the crash are unknown (including who was driving which vehicle), law enforcement officials believe that alcohol did play a role in this incident.

As seen by the example of Perzanowski and Check, being involved in a recreational accident at high speeds is a scary experience that can result severe personal injury or death. Additionally, operating or driving any motor vehicle while intoxicated greatly increases the likelihood an accident will occur. Therefore, all participants of fun, but potentially dangerous recreational activities need to pay the utmost attention to what they are doing to make sure everyone is safe. For answers to all the questions an injured person will undoubtedly have, as well as the best legal advice and legal representation, it is vital to contact a hard-working Detroit recreational accident lawyer immediately. Doing so can help ensure the most successful outcome for your personal injury claim.


MI Drunk Driving – DUI Survivor Shares Her Story With Students to Raise Awareness

March 18, 2010

Throughout the career of an experienced Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is common to represent a number of people who have sustained severe personal injury in a car accident. Some of the most tragic are drunk driving accidents, as they are preventable by designating a sober driver. The consequences of these incidents are life-altering, and no one knows that better than Sarah Panzau. Over six years ago, she survived a gruesome auto collision when she was driving while intoxicated.

Panzau, then twenty-one years-old, was working as a bartender and often drank throughout her shifts. One night after work, she decided to drive home even though her blood alcohol level was over four times the legal limit. She lost control of her vehicle and was ejected out the back window. Panzau’s head was “slammed and dragged against a guard rail at sixty miles per hour.” She survived the ordeal, but as a result of the Michigan drunk driving accident, she lost most of her left arm as well as many physical and mental scars.

Although the experience was horrifying, Panzau has made it her mission to educate high school students throughout the country on what can happen to them if they drive drunk. She makes the potential consequences very clear by wearing a tank top and shorts, allowing students to see the physical reminders of her accident. Panzau advises students not only to designate a sober driver, but to associate with friends who will help them make positive choices. “I was one of those ‘never happen to me’ girls. I want to show what happens to people who make poor choices.”

As seen by the example of Sarah Panzau, drunk driving accidents can result in severe personal injury. Because the consequences of these incidents are life-changing, an injured person will undoubtedly be left with many questions regarding their case. For answers, as well as the best legal advice and legal representation, it is essential to contact a hard-working and trustworthy Detroit drunk driving lawyer immediately. Doing so can help ensure the most successful outcome for your personal injury claim.


MI Drunk Driving – Memorial Vigil Honors Roseville Teens in Fatal MI Drunk Driving Crash

March 16, 2010

Throughout the career of a hard-working Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is common to represent a number of individuals who have sustained severe personal injury or died as a result of a drunk driving accident. These are perhaps some of the most tragic accidents, as they are easily preventable by designating a sober driver. Those who survive and are left behind often take a combative stance against the drunk driving, with the intent of raising awareness for its dangers. In a recent example, following the case four Roseville teenagers who were killed as the result of a drunk driver, a friend of the victims started a youth organization that promotes sober driving.

Exactly one year ago, Devin Spurlock, 19, Erica Haudek, 15, Stephanie Currie, 16, and Jordan Michalack, 16, were in a car on their way to dinner. However, en route to the restaurant, their vehicle was struck by a car driven by Mount Clemens resident, Francis Dingle, 48. As a result of the Michigan drunk driving accident, all four teens were killed. Dingle was arrested by law enforcement officials, and is currently facing four counts of driving while intoxicated, as well as second-degree murder charges. Her case is scheduled to go to trial this month.

A classmate of the victims, Ashly Lowry, was determined to not only make sure that her friends were remembered, but that similar drunk driving accidents do not occur again. This prompted her to found the Michigan Teens Against Drunk Driving organization, which was created to mobilize teenagers for the cause. “The day after the accident, I wanted to do something to help remember my friends. And my stepdad said I could come up with an organization for teens to maybe get the message out better than MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving),” she explained. To honor her friends, a candlelight vigil will be held tonight from 6:00-8:15 p.m. at Macomb Mall. “If they want to come  out and help support me… they’re more than welcome to come out. The more support we get, the better turnout it will be.”

The consequences of drunk driving accidents are devastating, and carry life-changing consequences for all involved. Unfortunately, drunk driving crashes usually result in severe personal injury or death, leaving survivors and those left behind with a multitude of questions. For answers, as well as the best legal advice and legal representation, is essential to contact an experienced and trustworthy Detroit drunk driving lawyer immediately. Doing so can help ensure the most successful outcome for your personal injury claim.


MI Safety Matters – “Sober Steering” Hopes to Curb Drunk Driving

March 12, 2010

The legal career of an experienced Detroit personal injury lawyer is based around helping people who have sustained personal injury or died as a result of an accident. Among the most tragic are drunk driving accidents, as they are not only preventable, they can have life-changing consequences for those involved. Proactive and creative individuals such as Dennis Bellehumeur have taken the matter into their own hands, developing a number of devices from interlock systems to cell phone applications to prevent individuals from driving while intoxicated.

As a clinical neuropsychologist, Bellehumeur was often witness to the personal injury that can result from drunk driving accidents, as well as the devastating effects it has on the family of the victim. Additionally, his own family was impacted by drunk driving when his son sustained personal injury in an alcohol-related crash. His passionate motives behind raising drunk driving awareness prompted him to start Sober Steering Sensors Canada Inc., a company that hopes to use technology to prevent people from driving while intoxicated. Working along Seacoast Science Inc., technology is being developed that would build chemical sensors into steering wheels. These would be able to detect the gas byproducts of alcohol through the skin, should the person behind the wheel be under the influence of alcohol.

Nationwide, more lawmakers are enforcing the use of ”interlock systems” in vehicles of convicted drunk drivers. These devices require the motorist to blow into a breathalyzer before the car will start. If the system registers that the motorist is over the legal limit, the vehicle will not turn on.

While Bellehumeur is in favor of devising technological means of combating drunk driving, he believes that the interlock systems are ineffective for a number of reasons. Not only are they incredibly expensive ($1,300 to $2,000), there is a low compliance rate. Even if judges order them, people break the law and drive anyways–some drivers have been known to cheat the system by having another person blow into the breathalyzer for them. Sensors built into steering wheel would be both cost-effective ($200), and invisible as not to divert attention from the road.

As a Detroit personal injury attorney who also witnesses first-hand the devastating effects of drunk driving accidents, I applaud the efforts made by Dennis Belleheumer to prevent motorists from getting behind the wheel drunk. The effects of drunk driving accidents are permanent and life-changing, usually resulting in severe personal injury or death. Therefore, it is essential to contact hard-working legal counsel that will not only provide answers, but the best legal advice and legal representation for your case. Doing so immediately can help ensure the best outcome for your personal injury claim.


MI Drunk Driving Accident – Four Injured in Northern Michigan Drunk Driving Crash

March 7, 2010

Throughout the legal career of a hard-working Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is common to represent individuals who have sustained severe personal injury or died as the result of a car accident. These cases become increasingly more tragic when the driver at-fault was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, particularly because drunk driving accidents are preventable. Clients helped have stories similar to the recent northern Michigan drunk driving accident, causing personal injury to four people.

Last Thursday, a gray pickup truck was heading westbound on M-32 and driving erratically. The driver of the pickup truck was swerving back and forth from the road to the shoulder when it collided with an eastbound sedan, causing a tire from the smaller car to come off. Then after continuing westbound after the first car accident, the pickup truck again crashed into a white sport utility pickup heading eastbound. As a result, the sport utility pickup zoomed ten feet forward, hitting a tree. After failing to avoid the ongoing accident, a small SUV  struck the white pickup.

When the driver of the gray pickup truck finally got out of his vehicle, he attempted to flee the scene. However, witnesses prevented him from doing so until the Michigan State Police arrived. Although he refused to comply with sobriety testing, the Gaylord man, 56, admitted to driving while intoxicated. As a result, he was handcuffed and arrested by police for causing the drunk driving accident. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving on a suspended license.

As a result of the drunk driving accident, Otsego County EMS and Rescue had to attend to several individuals on the scene who sustained personal injury. The driver of the white pickup had to be removed from the crashed vehicle, and numerous others were carried to ambulances on backboards. Four people were transported to Ostego Memorial Hospital for medical treatment.

As seen by the aforementioned drunk driving incident, driving while intoxicated greatly increases the likelihood of an accident occurring. The consequences of these incidents can have extreme and life-changing consequences, resulting in the personal injury or death of individuals involved. For answers to all of the questions an injured persons undoubtedly has, as well as the best legal advice and representation for your case, it is vital to contact an experienced Detroit drunk driving lawyer immediately.


MI Drunk Driving – Drunken “Doughnuts” Enough for DUI Arrest of Grand Blanc Man

March 5, 2010

Practicing law in a metropolitan area, it is common for a Detroit personal injury lawyer to represent a number of clients who have sustained severe personal injury or died because they were involved in a drunk driving accident. Law enforcement officials nationwide, particularly the Michigan State Police, have taken a firm stance against drunk driving because of the dangers it presents to all people on the roads.

This crack down on drunk driving even applies when in parking lots, as seen by the recent arrest in Grand Blanc Township. Law enforcement officials were called down to PD’s Pub to attend to an intoxicated man who refused to leave the bar. En route to the bar, police officers received another call from the pub informing them that the Flint man, 48, hopped into his truck and proceeded to do “doughnuts” in the parking lot. Upon finally arriving on the scene, police immediately could tell that the unidentified man in the truck was significantly intoxicated. When confronted, the man drunkenly told officers that because he was on private property, he could not be arrested. However, after several sobriety tests were performed, and his blood alcohol content level registered to be 0.11 percent–0.03 higher than the legal limit in the State of Michigan, the Flint man was arrested for driving while intoxicated and taken to the county jail.

After investigating the Flint man’s criminal record, it was discovered that his license was suspended five times, as well as two prior convictions for driving while intoxicated. In addition, he informed police officers that he was also using Vicodin and morphine for back pain. At this time, it is unknown whether he was under the influence of either of these drugs at the time of the drunk driving incident.

Driving while intoxicated significantly increased the risk of an accident while on the roads, as well as the chances of severe personal injury or death occurring. Because these injuries can have life-changing consequences, it is essential to contact a Detroit personal injury attorney for the best legal representation and legal advice immediately. Doing so can help ensure a successful outcome to your personal injury claim.


Driving Safety Matters – Parent of New Driver? Tips to Remind Your Teen

March 4, 2010

Throughout the career of a hard-working Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is likely to represent a number of individuals who have sustained severe personal injury as the result of a car crash. Unfortunately, the most at-risk group of drivers for a car accident are teenagers, as they are the most inexperienced on the road. In fact, they have the highest crash risk of any age group attributed to driver error including speeding or tailgating. Because children learn by example, it is essential for parents to enforce safe driving tips to their teen before they get behind the wheel to ensure that their ride is safe.

Parents should discuss good and bad driving habits with their teens early–this way it is easy to show them what is illegal and unsafe behavior, and how to avoid it. A means of enforcing these limits on your kids can be done by restricting the amount of night driving time they’re allowed to have during the first few months of licensure. Young drivers are most at risk for car accidents at night when their inexperience is magnified. Parents often remind their children that they should never drive if they’ve had even a sip of alcohol, nor take a ride with someone who has. Nationally, thirteen percent of teenage fatalities on the road occur because the driver had a 0.08 blood alcohol content at the time of the car accident. Make sure to offer a ride home to your teen, should a sober driver not be available.

It is also important to discuss with your teen how dangerous driving while distracted is. Operating a motor vehicle while using cell phones, texting, chatting with friends, eating in the car, or even changing music can be disastrous. If you have a teenage daughter, make it clear to her that makeup should be done at home, and not in the car. Even looking in the mirror for a mere second provides ample opportunity for a car accident to occur. Although teenagers are not the only group of drivers who attempt to multitask while on the roads, they do so in higher percentages–approximately ninety percent of young adults admit to using a cell phone or texting while driving.

Each day personal injury attorneys assist clients who have sustained gruesome personal injury in car accidents–don’t let this happen to your young driver! Reminding your teenager of these helpful driving tips can help to keep your child safe when they’re behind the wheel. In the event of a car accident resulting in personal injury, it is essential to contact an experienced and aggressive Detroit personal injury attorney for the best legal representation and legal advice. Doing so immediately can help ensure a successful outcome to your car accident claim.


Drunk Driving – Drunk Snowmobiling Causes Accident, Highlights Importance of Safety

February 22, 2010

During the career of an experienced Detroit personal injury lawyer, it is common to represent individuals who have sustained personal injury as the result of a car accident. The situation becomes even more tragic when the individual who caused the accident was driving while intoxicated. In a recent accident, a man on a snowmobile ran into a car after driving while he was under the influence of alcohol.

According to the local sheriff’s department, Tyler Lyndaker, 21, was riding his snowmobile eastbound when he tried to overtake a sport utility vehicle that was driven by seventy-nine year-old Dorothy Baker. When Baker tried to avoid the snowmobile, both vehicles collided. As a result, the snowmobile went off the road and struck a tree, ultimately ejecting Lyndaker from the vehicle. When law enforcement officials arrived on the scene, they administered sobriety tests to Lyndaker, and determined that he was operating the snowmobile under the influence of alcohol. Police cited him with drunk driving and failing to drive on the right shoulder between dusk and dawn. Fortunately, no one sustained severe personal injury or died in this accident.

Incidents such as these highlight some important winter driving tips, whatever type of vehicle is being used. First, winter weather can make roads icy and slippery to navigate. It is important that while driving in the snow to pay the utmost attention to the roads, and pay attention to vehicles surrounding you. It is also a good idea to maintain slower speeds, leave more distance between you and the vehicle n front of you and always wear your seat belt. Secondly, driving under the influence of alcohol can seriously impair a person’s ability to drive in clear weather, let alone winter conditions. As seen by the aforementioned drunk snowmobiling case, it is essential to designate a sober driver to make sure that everyone arrives to their destination safely.

Drunk driving accidents, regardless of the type of vehicle involved are especially tragic because they are preventable. But, severe personal injury can result because of them. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can provide answers to the many questions that you undoubtedly have. For your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation covering medical bills, wage loss, or other expenses and compensation for pain and suffering. For the best legal advice and legal representation, contact a hard-working and aggressive Detroit personal injury attorney immediately.


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