Two NC State students charged after bike accident
Two North Carolina State University students were arrested Tuesday night after a Sunday night car accident left a third N.C. State student critically injured. The tragic car and bicycle accident sent the student who had been riding a bike to Wake Raleigh Hospital, where the student reportedly had been upgraded to fair condition as of Tuesday night.
The driver of the vehicle who is accused of causing the accident reportedly will be facing charges of driving while impaired. Police subjected the driver to an alcohol test after the tragic crash and say the driver showed an alcohol level of 0.12 percent.
However, authorities later obtained a search warrant due to the injuries involved in the allegations. Police believe that other “impairing substances” may have been involved, and acquired a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from the driver. Results of the blood test are not expected to be returned for some time.
In addition to the DWI charges against the driver, a second student is facing alcohol-related charges related to the allegations. A 19-year-old junior at the school was charged Tuesday with underage possession of alcohol and aiding and abetting the driver in obtaining the alcohol. Police apparently believe the 19-year-old had aided and abetted the man accused of DWI in the purchase of beer.
The student charged with aiding and abetting, and underage alcohol charges was booked into jail Tuesday, with bail set at ,500.
University Police say that the accident occurred at 2:49 a.m. Sunday at an intersection. Police believe that the man accused of DWI made a left hand turn and struck the student who was riding his bicycle through the intersection. The student who was injured is believed to have suffered serious head trauma in the tragic accident.
Sources:
N.C. StateTechnician Online, “Biker hit by drunk driver,” Will Brooks, Feb. 20, 2012
News-Observer, “N.C. State student faces alcohol charges in car-vs-bike accident,” Feb. 22, 2012