Drunk Driver Kills 2 Local High School Graduates

Two high school graduates were killed in a car accident with an allegedly drunk driver. The vehicle of the two deceased collided with that of Robert William Frazier – who had a BAC of 0.10 at the time of the crash, according to a newly released police report.

The Longview News-Journal reports that the two cars hit each other head-on, sending the vehicle carrying Haley Johnson and Bailee Russell flying into the air. Johnson was killed immediately and Russell died from her injuries a few days later.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 32,675 people killed in road accidents in the United States in 2014 – and 3,538 of them took place in Texas.

Did your loved one die in a crash with a drunk or drugged driver? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, burial and funeral costs, and other expenses

Contact a Longview personal-injury attorney from the Cooper Law Firm to discuss your case. Accident lawyer N. Eric Cooper will guide you through the claims process.

Mr. Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 today to schedule a consultation. You can also visit http://drunk-driving-accident.usattorneys.com/texas/ to learn more about car accident injury lawsuits.

Let’s take a look at the potential consequences of a DWI conviction in Texas:

What Are the Penalties for Driving while Intoxicated in Texas?

Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense that puts every road user at risk. Nearly one-third of all traffic deaths involve alcohol, which is why a DWI conviction comes with serious penalties in Texas.

Alcohol has several debilitating effects on a person’s ability to drive, and Texas courts have decided that a BAC of 0.08 percent is the legal limit for drivers aged 21 and older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, typical effects of a BAC of 0.08 or higher include:

• Poor muscle coordination;
• Impaired judgment and self-control;
• And reduced concentration and perception of danger.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the penalties for a first DWI offense include:

• A fine of up to $2,000;
• Three to 180 days in jail;
• Loss of driver’s license for up to one year;
• And annual fees of $1,000 or $2,000 for three years to retain your license.

These penalties can increase to exorbitant levels with subsequent offenses – with fines of up to $10,000 and jail time of one month to a full year.

If you were injured in a crash with a drunk or negligent driver in Texas, turn to a Longview personal-injury attorney from the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident lawyer who helps clients throughout east Texas. He is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 today to schedule a consultation.