We have discussed several drunk driving car accidents in previous posts. Drunk driving is one of the top causes of Nashville area car accidents. This is unfortunate because these serious wrecks are wholly preventable. Although it is not uncommon for a responsible motorist to be hit by a drunk driver, there are other types of intoxicated drivers that are equally as dangerous.
Last month we discussed a serious truck accident involving a driver who was suspected to be under the influence of methadone. That driver caused a serious highway accident that resulted in the death of two drivers. Drug use is believed to be a contributing factor in another recent car accident which involved a 20-year-old driver.
Authorities say that the car accident happened last Sunday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. when the 20-year-old driver lost control of his Nissan Altima The driver was speeding when the car ran off of the road, smacked into a tree, and hit a brick wall. Images of the wreck depict a car facing the road with catastrophic damage to its front end. The damage to the car was so severe that a 20-year-old backseat passenger had to be extricated before he was rushed to Vanderbilt Hospital. Authorities say that he is in critical condition.
The 20-year-old driver and an 18-year-old passenger suffered minor personal injuries and authorities took a blood sample from the driver to determine whether he was under the influence of drugs. It is unclear why authorities suspect that the driver was under the influence of drugs, as opposed to alcohol, and no criminal charges have been filed against the driver yet.
Source: News Channel 5, "Police Investigate Whether Drug Use Was Factor In Wreck," Aug. 22, 2011