Another tragedy has occurred as a result of a drunk driver. According to the Lorain Morning Journal, two men were walking on the east side of Lost Nation Road in Willoughby around 6:30 p.m. on January 30 when an Eastlake man driving a 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck struck them from behind. According to court records, the man’s blood-alcohol concentration was .152 after the crash – well over Ohio’s legal limit of .08. One of the pedestrians that was struck was airlifted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland after the crash and was pronounced dead the next day. The other pedestrian died at Lake Health West Medical Center. The Eastlake man appeared before a judge at Willoughby Municipal Court on charges of OVI, aggravated vehicular homicide, and aggravated vehicular assault. Bond was set at 10% of $50,000 with the condition that he must wear a remote alcohol monitoring bracelet.
Odds are, unfortunately, an individual who has been arrested for drunk driving for the first time has likely driven drunk before their arrest. According to Insurance Information Institute, one arrest is made for every 88 instances of drunk driving. Additionally, one study showed over 80% of first offenders were alcoholics, while only 18% were considered social drinkers. When a drunk driver causes a pedestrian accident, the pedestrian can seek financial compensation through a personal injury claim – Tittle & Perlmuter will stand up to drunk drivers and their insurance companies.
If you or a loved one has been injured or lost a loved one as the result of a drunk driver, Tittle & Perlmuter can help. Our attorneys understand that each accident and injury caused by a drunk driver is unique and you may be entitled to compensatory damages as well as punitive damages. With offices in Lakewood, Cleveland, and Elyria, we can handle lawsuits all throughout northeast Ohio. Give us a call for a free consultation.