Bethesda drunk driver runs over a police officer after drinking for several hours at a local restaurant
All kinds of people in various occupations can be affected by the actions of a drunk driver. People who work on the roads for long hours or spend lots of time near traffic are especially susceptible to damage caused by intoxicated drivers.
Local news for Bethesda Maryland reported on the death of a Montgomery County Police officer that occurred during a drunk driving accident.
Officer killed by intoxicated driver while on foot near his vehicle
The officer was in the middle of another traffic stop and walking back to his cruiser when he was hit by the suspect’s Honda CRV. The defendant later admitted to police that he had been both drinking and smoking marijuana, and that he could not maintain his balance to complete the field sobriety test. They took a blood sample, and the results were pending at the time of the news report.
Apparently, the suspect had been drinking at a Hooters restaurant in nearby Rockville for several hours before the accident. A sergeant with the Montgomery Police released a statement that servers in the hospitality industry need to be mindful of their patrons and think about the consequences of serving a visibly intoxicated person, who could possibly get hurt or injure someone else.
The victim remained at a hospital in Bethesda for several days while on life support before he died. He was remembered fondly by other officers in the department and a large police escort was present as his body was removed from the medical examiner’s office. The suspect will be charged with DUI and other crimes related to the fatal accident, although the victim’s family and friends were concerned that Maryland’s DUI manslaughter laws are too lenient, and most who are convicted only spend a few years in jail.
Can the restaurant be sued for serving a drunk guest?
Many states in the U.S. no longer extend civil liability to bars, restaurants, liquor stores or other establishments that can legally serve intoxicating beverages. Such laws, called dram shop acts, are still on the books in many states, but not in Maryland and several others. Some states also have nuances to these laws where they can only be held liable for serving minors.
Because of this inconsistency in dram shop laws, the driver who is responsible for the accident will normally be the target of any civil lawsuit, rather than the person responsible for serving them.
The process of a lawsuit against a drunk driver
A personal injury attorney can do several things after a drunk driving accident. They can file a case for negligence or wrongful death against the person responsible. This will force them to pay for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and any long term trauma caused by the accident, including emotional pain and suffering. When the accident involves severe injuries or death, these amounts become very substantial.
Get help from a local lawyer
If you need to file a lawsuit or take other actions against drunk drivers in the Bethesda area, attorneys are available to speak with you. The Law Offices of Michael E. Gross can provide expert advice and representation.
