The dangers of drinking and driving are well known, and when a drunk driver get into an accident they can be found financially liable for their victims expenses in addition to any punitive sentences they receive. However, if an individual is able to avoid being charged for drunk driving in a car accident, the ability of a victim to receive financial compensation could be reduced. Despite the possibility of potentially avoiding legal consequences, one Ohio drunk driver made a different choice: admitting guilt online.
In a confession posted on several websites, a 22-year-old man describes the situation that led to his drunken driving accident. According to him, he had been drinking heavily and decided to attempt to drive his truck home. He ended up driving down the wrong side of the highway into oncoming traffic, where he eventually collided head on with another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle, a 61-year-old man, was killed in the crash.
He states that the video will serve as his confession to the crime, allowing prosecutors to bring charges against him. A prosecutor for Franklin County has seen the video and has stated it will be used to indict the driver on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide.
The video ends with the young man calling for other individuals to learn the lesson he has learned, to avoid making the mistakes he made, and to never drink and drive.
With such ironclad proof of guilt, it is very likely that the drunk driver will serve prison time for the crimes committed. However, in cases where the likelihood of a drunken driving conviction is lower, it can be important for the victims of a drunk driver to help gather as much evidence as possible. When the time comes that a victim decides to bring a civil suit against a drunken driver either for the wrongful death of a loved one or for damages sustained during an accident, evidence of drunken driving can help prove legal liability rests with the drunken driver.
Source: kansascity.com, "Ohio man confesses to killing man in crash in video," Regina Garcia Cano, Sept. 5, 2013
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