A Brunswick County man is now on house arrest while he faces drunk driving murder charges after he crashed into another car, killing a mother of three.
Recently, the district attorney asked the 23-year-old man’s bond to be adjusted after she got reports that the man had been using impairing substances including heroin. Another reason for the bond change, according to the district attorney, was that the man pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for harassing phone calls last year. The judge also suspended the man’s license and ordered him not to consume any impairing substances.
The man is facing murder charges after he killed the 38-year-old woman in May 2010 in Southport. Though the man survived the crash, he lost a leg due to severe injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 29 people die every day in drunk driving accidents. Statistically, 1,400 people are injured as a result of drunk driving daily. Every year, nearly 11,000 people die due to impaired driving.
There have been several measures adopted by the United States to help reduce alcohol-related fatalities. Some cities set up checkpoints to seek out drunk drivers. Punitive laws have been implemented to make would-be drunk drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. The law in Brunswick also provides that alcohol-related accident victims are entitled to pursue compensation for damages they may have incurred. Even in the absence of criminal charges, qualified counsel may be able to help victims find the justice they deserve.
Source: Star News Online, “Brunswick man facing DWI murder charge under house arrest,” Erin Zureick, Aug. 29, 2011
