On behalf of Greenberg & Walden, LLC posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Monday, September 18, 2017.
One would think that law enforcement officers who have seen the tragic outcomes of drunk driving crashes would be among the last people to get behind the wheel while impaired. However, that’s not always the case.
A Maryland State Police officer is facing DUI charges after a recent crash that involved a New Jersey woman. The trooper, who works in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, has also been suspended from his job. He’s been charged with DUI, reckless and negligent driving and failure to slow down to avoid a crash.
The trooper was driving a marked MSP-issued Chevrolet Tahoe, but was off duty, when he rear-ended the 49-year-old woman on a recent Sunday evening in Cecilton, Maryland. That town is located about 70 miles from her residence in Cherry Hill. She and a 10-year-old passenger riding with her in her Mercedes were treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries and released.
Witnesses reported that the trooper’s emergency lights were activated at the time of the crash. However, he was not on his way to a call. According to the officer who responded to the crash, the trooper, who was not injured, appeared to be impaired. He was processed by authorities and released.
If you are injured in a crash by someone who’s driving a vehicle belonging to his or her employer, whether it’s a private or government entity, the owner of that vehicle may bear some liability for the crash. An experienced New Jersey accident attorney can advise you regarding your options for seeking the compensation you need to pay for medical care, repairs and other damages.
Source: Havre de Grace Patch, “Drunk Trooper Charged After Crash: State Police,” Deb Belt, Aug. 14, 2017
