March 23, 2012

Alcohol is to blame for a series of hit-and-run crashes that left a 30-year-old Orem, Utah, man hospitalized. According to reports from the Idaho Press Tribune, the crash occurred Thursday afternoon on Law Street.

Reports from officers who responded to the scene say that the man was driving east along Boise Avenue in his pickup truck when he rear-ended a vehicle that was waiting to turn north onto Apple Street. Both drivers got out of their vehicles and began exchanging information when the driver of the pickup truck suddenly got back in his vehicle and began to speed away. He hit another vehicle carrying two people before running a red light at a nearby intersection and striking a Nissan Sentra. The driver then attempted to flee the scene of those crashes before colliding with a telephone pole.

The driver was taken into police custody and booked into the Ada County Jail on charges of misdemeanor DUI, as well as one felony count and two misdemeanor counts of leaving the scene of an accident after police discovered he had two previous DUI convictions in California.

The Salt Lake City Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers with Robert Debry and Associates all too often handle cases where drunk drivers have injured innocent motorists. That’s why they ask that we all do our part to contribute to the safety of Utah’s highways by not drinking and driving.

February 24, 2012

New legislation in Utah could change the requirements for individuals over the age of 19 who are attempting to get a driver license. According to an article released by The Salt Lake Tribune, HB 266 would eliminate the need for drivers over the age of 19 to take a driver training course.

Rep. Bradley M. Daw, R-Orem, came up with the idea after noticing that a friend’s wife had gained enough driving experience with a learner permit to pass her license exam. His idea is to replace the mandatory driving education class in Utah with a set number of hours drivers must log with a learner permit and a licensed driver accompanying them. Under the new legislation, drivers would have to log 40 hours of driving, including 10 hours at night, during their 90-day period under a learner permit.

Opponents of the law say that the quantity of time behind the wheel doesn’t necessarily make for quality driver training, and not all licensed drivers are good drivers or good driving instructors. They also warn that the licensed passenger might not correct the learning driver’s mistakes like a qualified instructor would.

The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry and Associates help victims of accidents that were injured by another driver’s negligence. If you have been hurt in a crash that was no fault of your own, contact us today for a free consultation of your case.

October 28, 2011

With zombie fever sweeping the nation, the Utah Highway Patrol thought they would use the un-dead mania to their advantage and use it promote their cause against drunk driving. According to KSL.com, officials with the agency have created a series of 20-second ads, with zombies in the lead roles, focusing on preventing drunk driving.

Viewers must be warned the ads are both hilarious and gruesome at the same time and can be viewed on your local television network. The department felt the ads would be effective this time of year in reducing the number of alcohol related deaths on Utah’s roads this year from the nearly 300 who died last year. In honor of the campaign, the agency has also started an organization called Zombies Against Drunk Driving (ZADD). Together, the police department and the army of undead from the organization will spread the word on the dangers of drunk driving.

Law enforcement says they plan to do their part in fighting drunk drivers by setting up checkpoints through out the state over the weekend

The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates would like to remind everyone who plans on drinking as part of their festivities this weekend to plan ahead and use a designated driver. If a sober driver cant be found, call a cab. This will lead to everyone having a Happy Halloween!

October 21, 2011

Families and friends of teenagers who have died in car accidents in the past year gathered together Thursday to share stories and remember their lost loved ones. According to KSL News, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH), as part of their “Don’t Drive Stupid” Campaign, brought the group together to warn teens of the unforeseen dangers on the road.

Speakers at the event each told their tragic story of losing their children to senseless accidents involving drunk drivers, trains, and lack of seatbelts. They say their hope is that the stories will boost a statewide initiative, called Zero Fatalities to curve the high number of teenage deaths behind the wheel in Utah. Last year alone 44 teens died in a car crash. Of those, 65 percent were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Jenny Johnson, with the UDOH Violence and Injury Prevention Program, cautioned teens by saying, “Let these stories serve as a warning. Let’s hope there’s nothing to publish net year.”

The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates would like to hear your opinion on effective methods for helping teens become safer drivers. What do you think is the best way to help a teen learn to be cautious behind the wheel? Tell us what you think by posting to our Facebook page.

September 23, 2011

A woman from Ogden, Utah will spend up to 15 years in prison after being sentenced Tuesday in the case of her three-year-old daughter who died when the woman crashed her car under the influence of drugs.

The Standard-Examiner reports that on February 23, the woman was driving her car on US 89, when she stated she “blacked out” and swerved the car onto a sidewalk and continued into a parking area. The car came to rest after colliding with boulders surrounding the parking lot. The young girl was in her car seat at the time of the crash, but was severely injured nonetheless. She was flown to Salt Lake City Hospital and died shortly after arriving.

It was found that the 26-year-old driver had oxycontin and marijuana in her system at the time of the crash. She was booked on charges of driving with a detectable controlled substance that resulted in death, illegal possession of a controlled substance, and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. According to ABC 4 News though, under a plea agreement reached in July, the woman only plead guilty to one charge of negligent driving that caused a death.

Prosecutors pushed for a higher sentence based on the fact that the woman has had two overdoses since the agreement was reached.

The Utah Auto Accident Attorneys with Robert Debry & Associates find the story devastating and hope it will be a lesson to drivers to not get behind the wheel if intoxicated. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a alchohol or drug related accident, have your questions answered by contacting them from their website.

September 2, 2011

Victory celebrations for the University of Utah football team’s win over Montana State Thursday night were cut short by the tragic death of a teammate’s wife in a car accident. Ksl.com reported that the wife of a Utah defensive lineman was killed just an hour and a half after the win.

The woman was driving through the intersection of 4800 West and 3200 South in West Valley City, Utah, when authorities believe a 38-year-old driver of a Jeep ran a red light and collided with the woman. Both drivers were killed almost instantly and declared dead at the scene.

The driver of a second vehicle, which was hit by the Jeep, was transported to a local hospital and was last listed in serious condition. Authorities are awaiting toxicology test results from the driver of the Jeep to determine if alcohol played a part in the accident and are also working to determine whether or not the driver ran the red light. Results of the investigation could take several weeks.

Getting the medical attention you need after a wreck should be your first priority. After that, contact a lawyer, so the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you. To get in touch with the Utah Auto Accident Attorneys from Robert Debry & Associates fill out a free online consultation form today.

July 1, 2011

A Salt Lake City, Utah, man accused of causing a wreck that killed another man, then fleeing from the scene of the accident, has been arrested and charged with automobile homicide.

As reported by KSL News, the May 22^nd accident in Taylorsville, Utah, occurred when the 26-year-old man, who was speeding and driving under the influence, struck a vehicle that was stopped at the intersection of 6200 South and 4015 West. Authorities say that there is no indication the man attempted to stop or slow down, nor did he attempt to avoid the collision. The other driver died at the scene of the injuries sustained in the crash.

Authorities say the man responsible for the crash fled the scene on foot, jumped a fence, and was later found hiding in a window well. His blood alcohol content was .11, three tenths of a point above the legal limit in Utah. Marijuana was also discovered in his system at the time of the crash.

The man has been charged with automobile homicide, leaving the scene of an accident involving death, two counts of DUI, driving with a measurable controlled substance in the body, and class C misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended license and speeding.

The Utah drunk driving accident attorneys with Robert DeBry & Associates fight for victims injured because of the negligence or carelessness of other drivers. Contact them immediately by phone or online.

May 27, 2011

With the holiday weekend just around the corner and both the “Click It Or Ticket” and “See Me Save Me” campaigns kicking off the is week, traffic safety is on the minds of many in Utah.

The news team at ksl.com reported that on Monday, several of Utah’s law enforcement agencies held a commencement ceremony at Redwood Memorial Cemetery to mark the kickoff to the campaigns. Each year, the participating community agencies use Memorial Day weekend as the start date for targeted enforcement of seatbelt laws, known as May Mobilization.

Studies find that seatbelt use was up among Americans by 1 percent in 2010. In states with primary seatbelt laws, use reached 88 percent in 2010.

Utah Highway Patrolman Col. Danny Fuhr says “There’s a direct correlation with people being unrestrained and death, and buckling up and staying alive. That’s what we’re doing. We keep people alive so they can go home every single night and enjoy their families.”

Last year in Utah, 110 people died on the roadways because they were unrestrained. This outranked DUI, distraction, speed, and fatigue as a contributing factor in fatal accidents in Utah.

The Utah auto accident attorneys at Robert DeBry & Associates would like to wish you happy and safe travel this holiday weekend! Don’t forget to buckle up!

According to the Associated Press, there were nearly 400 fewer driving under the influence arrests since Utah eliminated a requirement that bar patrons fill out an application and pay a fee to enter to help decrease the number of Utah auto accidents.

Statistics show that alcohol sales to Utah bars has risen about 1 percent in the past year, and the number of minors arrested for driving under the influence has also decreased by 1 percent since last year. This could eventually lead to the number of Utah auto accidents to decrease.

The change was made last July to boost the state’s tourism industry and to make the state appear less odd to businesses and those moving to Utah.

Read more.

What do you think about the fee being charged at bars in Utah? Do you think the new law has made a difference?

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Utah auto accident, the Utah auto accident lawyers at Robert J. DeBry & Associates can help.