Causing a traffic accident is bad enough when alcohol or prescription drugs (drug DUI) are involved, but a DWI-related hit-and-run crash is something that no one should wish upon themselves. In the Garden State, police agencies and our courts are definitely not sympathetic to motorists arrested and charged with drinking and driving; never mind the complication of a traffic accident.
While it may seem to be the end of the world if one is involved in a car or truck accident when possibly impaired due to drugs or alcohol, the last thing one should do is leave the scene of any accident for fear of any consequences; they likely will be made worse by fleeing the scene. As New Jersey drunken driving defense attorneys, I and my staff of experienced legal professionals are well-versed in representing individuals accused of driving while intoxicated.
Courts typically consider personal responsibility as a positive trait, but running from one's potential responsibility following a DWI-related car wreck can make for a more difficult defense. Needless to say, in situations such as this a defendant should seriously consider consulting with a qualified DWI-DUI defense lawyer before one walks into a courtroom.
For many people, the simple solution may seem to be pleading guilty to a charge of drunken driving, but this is usually not in anyone's interests, especially considering the potential fines and penalties associated with a DWI or DUI conviction. But, again, considering a possible scenario where a driver is charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, as well as being involved in an injury accident, going it alone is not advisable.
Not long ago, a Passaic resident was arrested following an early-morning hit-and-run pedestrian accident along a stretch of Burgess Place in Clifton. According to police reports, a 33-year-old New Jersey resident was crossing the street at about half-past two in the morning when he was hit by a passing sport utility vehicle, which then allegedly left the scene without stopping.
New reports indicated that the victim was found by police in a semi-conscious condition, but was still able to give officers a description of the vehicle. He was subsequently transported by ambulance to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Not long after the incident, police located an Isuzu Rodeo apparently matching the description provided by the victim, after which they effected an arrest of the vehicle's driver, 23-year-old Edwin Richardson of Passaic. During the arrest, police officers were reportedly interfered with by several bystanders, apparently resulting in the arrest of a woman who was part of that crowd.
As a result of Mr. Richardson's arrest, the suspect was charged by police with a number of offenses including driving while intoxicated (DWI), marijuana possession in a vehicle, careless driving and leaving the scene of an injury-related traffic accident. Aside from the rather serious issue of having allegedly left the scene of an accident, the man also faces a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle, which could add to any penalties or judgments against him in court.
Passaic man charged in Clifton hit-and-run, NorthJersey.com, January 2, 2012
