A North Carolina man was injured when he was involved in a vehicle accident on July 22 around 6 p.m. The 55-year-old man, who was knocked off of his moped, sustained serious injuries but is listed as stable in the hospital. The driver who allegedly injured the man is facing now facing drunk driving charges. He is also accused of hiding behind a tree to avoid arrest.
According to reports, a 51-year-old man had been operating the moped with the older man as his passenger. Witnesses reported that they saw the victim fall off of the moped at that intersection.
Witnesses said they saw the driver stop the moped, collect some personal effects and flee the scene. They searched the area until they allegedly found the man hiding behind a tree down the road from the accident.
The man now faces charges of DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.
It is not clear whether law enforcement authorities conducted any blood alcohol content tests, and reports have not indicated that the driver had any previous DUI convictions.
Is it possible that the older man simply fell off the back of the vehicle?
Drunk driving on a moped, bicycle or motorcycle is prosecutable in the same way as driving a car. But as always, police and prosecutors need proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver was drunk to secure a conviction. If no alcohol tests were conducted, one could legitimately wonder what proof police have. But it's never advisable to flee the scene. That could bias people's judgment of guilt.
Source: Salisbury Post, "Police: Drunk driver hid behind tree after accident," Karissa Minn, July 23, 2012
No Comments
Leave a comment