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Police say that a woman behind the wheel in a rollover crash in Gaston County, North Carolina was sober when the accident occurred. Law enforcement believes the woman was texting when the accident happened. However, authorities say that she was not the one in control of the steering wheel. Law enforcement says that her passenger was steering-and officials say that the passenger was under the influence of alcohol.

Authorities have charged the sober 19-year-old driver with aiding and abetting driving while impaired in the incident. She is also accused of allowing an unlicensed person to drive.

The allegations follow a single-vehicle wreck that was reported around 9:15 Thursday evening on U.S. 321 near Dallas, North Carolina. Police say that the pickup truck the two young women were traveling in left the road, struck a road sign and apparently rolled more than one time.

The female passenger was thrown from the pickup in the rollover. She suffered serious injuries and was taken to Gaston Memorial Hospital, where she was listed in Fair condition by Friday. Police believe that the passenger had been steering the truck when it wrecked. Police say that charges may be pending for the female passenger.

Meanwhile, the 19-year-old driver, a Lincolnton, North Carolina resident, was booked into the Gaston County Jail early Friday morning and was later released.

A first time aiding and abetting charge in North Carolina can lead to harsh consequences if a person is convicted. Typically, the consequences of an aiding and abetting DWI conviction can be very similar to a level 5 DWI offense.

Sources:

• WSOC TV, “Authorities: Teens were texting, drinking before serious crash,” March 29, 2013
• Gaston Gazette, “Police: Impaired passenger steers car, wrecks on highway,” Wade Allen, March 29, 2013

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

A man accused of drunk driving is facing upgraded felony charges after an incident Saturday night in a Mount Holly, North Carolina, parking lot. Authorities claim that a 50-year-old Charlotte man ran over his friend with a truck in the parking lot after some alleged form of argument.

Authorities had originally arrested the Charlotte man on suspicion of driving while impaired after the incident. Meanwhile, the 60-year-old friend was reportedly transported to Gaston Hospital after the incident with serious personal injuries, including head trauma. The man was later airlifted to Charlotte. He reportedly died at Carolinas’ Medical Center Monday evening.

Mount Holly Police say that they spoke to witnesses at an Asian market where the two men had visited before the parking lot incident. Authorities claim that the man accused of drunk driving admitted to his friend that he was too drunk to drive. A worker at the market says that the two men had some king of scuffle in the parking lot, and moments later the witness claims the 50-year-old man ran over the man who had earlier been a passenger in the pickup.

Authorities say that they do not know why the passenger was not inside the pickup when the accident allegedly occurred. Details remain sketchy about the incident. It is unclear what evidence besides the alleged admission inside the market that authorities have gathered to support the DWI charges.

After the 60-year-old man passed away Monday evening, the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office charged the man accused of drunk driving with second-degree murder. Authorities claim the man also faces a charge related to restrictions on his driver’s license.

The Charlotte resident is reportedly being held in the Gaston County Jail under a million secured bond.

Source: Gaston Gazette, “Murder charge filed in Gaston DWI death,” Wade Allen, May 30, 2012

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Gaston Police say they have arrested a man for driving while impaired for at least the fifth time. A Gaston County officer says he observed a 1989 Toyota that was not properly maintaining a single lane. This blog has reported stories regarding DWI arrests in various situations, including after an accident or at a sobriety checkpoint. However, Greenville DWI defense attorneys are aware that many DWI cases arise after traffic stops alleging minor traffic infractions.

The Gaston County officer says the Toyota failed to stop immediately after the officer activated his lights and siren. Law enforcement claims the driver continued on down the road for approximately one-half mile before pulling over.

The officer claims the driver appeared unsteady on his feet during the traffic stop. Law enforcement claims the driver exhibited glassy eyes and had the smell of alcohol on his breath. The driver was subjected to a breath test to provide evidence of alcohol content. Police say the Intoxilyzer test showed an alcohol level of .20, more than the .08 limit under North Carolina law.

Police arrested the driver for DWI and booked him into the Gaston County Jail under ,000 bond. The man was also charged with driving left of center and driving while license revoked.

Police allege the man’s driving privilege in North Carolina has been permanently suspended. Police say the driver has at least four previous DWI convictions.

Source: Gaston Gazette, “Habitual drunken driver picks up new DWI charge,” Kevin Ellis 16 May 2011

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm