Tucson Car Accident – Drugs and Alcohol to Blame

One man died and three people were injured in Tucson when a driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol rammed into a second car.

According to detectives, 28-year-old Juan M Hernandez-Rodriguez was driving a 2000 Chevy Impala south on 6th Avenue when a 1994 Honda Civic turned onto the street in front of him. Hernandez-Rodriguez was unable to stop his car and rammed into the back of the Honda, causing the Honda to spin out across the street. From there it jumped a curb, hit a bus canopy, and finally land against a chain fence in a dirt lot. Upon impact, the Honda burst into flames. Immediately, bystanders rushed to the scene in attempts to help the 22-year-old passenger out of the Honda. Unfortunately they were unable to get the driver out of the car.

Officers on the Scene of Car Accident

Officers arrived at the scene shortly after. “The bystanders and arriving officers were unable to get the male driver out of the car,” Sgt. Chris Widmer, a spokesman for the Tucson Police Department, said in a news release.

The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene.

There was a 24-year-old passenger in Hernandez-Rodriguez’s Impala who reported minor injuries but did not need to be taken to the hospital.

Officers allege Hernandez-Rodriguez was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the accident. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Hernandez-Rodriguez Charged in Car Accident

Hernandez-Rodriguez was booked into Pima County Jail for one count of 2nd-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault, one count of endangerment, and one count of felony criminal damage.2nd-degree murder is most commonly charged when the State is unable to prove the individual acted with premeditation. Homicide laws in Arizona also permit a charge of second-degree murder when the individual acts with certain levels “recklessness. Prosecutors can charge this offense even when death was the result of an accident. It is not uncommon to see a second-degree murder chargeas a result of a DUI accident in which the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (or B.A.C.) was exceptionally high.

If you’re involved in a car accident involving drugs and alcohol, you need the advice of expert attorneys such as those at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC.

Source: Tuscon News Now, Car accident leaves 1 dead, 3 injured, February 22, 2014

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