Drunk Driver Tries to Flee Scene . . . In Firetruck

A multi-vehicle crash in Manhattan last week reads like something from a comedy routine, but the end result was no joke: After crashing a rented truck into seven other vehicles—and injuring nine people, including four seriously—a drug-impaired driver tried to flee from the crash in a firetruck that had responded to the emergency.

The driver, who was on parole for felony weapons convictions, attacked a firefighter who was in the truck at the time and was then restrained by other firefighters.

Quiet Sunday Afternoon Disrupted

The driver behind the mayhem, a thirty-six-year-old man from Brooklyn, was arrested at the scene and charged with several offenses, including reckless endangerment, assaulting a firefighter, and multiple drug charges.

Video from the scene shows pedestrians scattering during the initial crash, which happened while some were sitting down for Sunday brunch, and firefighters are later seen struggling to subdue the man. None of those injured were seriously hurt, but eight were taken to Roosevelt Hospital for treatment.

Drugs and Alcohol Still Problems

While this incident was strange and extreme, drunk driving crashes are still too common. New York State saw more than 8,000 in 2016, leading to more than 4,000 injuries and 247 deaths. Nearly 5,600 alcohol-related crashes have been reported so far this year, but the statistics always lag behind, and the 2017 total might pass last year’s mark. Fewer crashes have been blamed on drug use (1,600 in 2016), but their effect is just as bad: 241 deaths were blamed on them last year and ninety-one so far in 2017.

But the trends have been positive in recent years. Drunk driving arrests were down noticeably in 2015 (the most recent year with complete data), and after a tougher law went into effect in 2012, nearly 4,000 licenses were permanently suspended (with another 3,500 blocked for five years). Efforts to improve highway safety haven’t been abandoned.

New York Truck Accident Lawyer

No amount of laws, or of stepped-up enforcement, can prevent every driver from doing something dangerous, like driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Even when only a few reckless drivers are out there, they’ll cause harm to others.

When you or someone close to you has been the victim of a crash, it’s important to hold those who caused it responsible. Victims often have major expenses due to hospital bills, and the ongoing cost of recovery and rehabilitation can be significant. You might also lose wages or salary because of time away from work, and in the most serious cases, a victim may not be able to return to work for an extended period of time—if ever.

Call on the truck accident attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP to help. We’ve assisted thousands of people with their motor vehicle accident cases, and we offer every new client a free consultation. Call us today at 1-800-842-8462 or contact us online through the form below to schedule yours.

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