According to the Los Angeles Daily Breeze, a suspected drunk driver led Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers on a high-speed chase through downtown Los Angeles before crashing into several cars and running into a fire hydrant. The chase ensued after officers attempted to pull over the driver near Fourth and Figueroa streets and the woman sped away. The pursuit ended after the driver created a 20-foot geyser when she crashed into the fire hydrant. New reports that the driver is expected to be booked on a suspicion of drunk driving, although it is unclear what actions prompted the attempted stop in the first place.
Often people who are pulled over by police panic and try to run. Trying to elude police can be a mistake - high-speed chases may lead to additional charges and create dangers from both the police and drivers.
High speed chases are inherently dangerous and may lead to charges of reckless driving, moving violations and may lead to additional charges if bystanders are injured as a result of the chase. In some instances, police officers may also be liable for injuries occurring in high-speed chases such as where they fail to follow official pursuit policies.
Rather than attempting to outrun a police officer, contact an experienced Los Angeles drunk driving defense lawyer to fight the charges.
If you are stopped, following a few simple drunk-driving suggestions can protect your driving privileges and help minimize the potential consequences. Some drunk driving stop tips include:
• Politely answer police officers questions, but avoid making statements. Police officers may try to prompt you into incriminating yourself, but do your best to stick to yes or no answers.
• Remember Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) are voluntary. Due to their unreliability and the excessive amount of discretion used to determine whether a driver passes or fails a test, many jurisdictions have outlawed FSTs altogether. In California, FSTs are permitted - but voluntary. You can politely decline to take a test.
• Immediately contact an experienced drunk driving defense lawyer. The faster you act, the better your chances of protecting your future and your driving privileges. A drunk driving conviction has both criminal and DMV consequences as well as a "ripple effect" that may affect your ability to obtain employment, higher insurance rates and even your credit score and your ability to qualify for an apartment lease. The best chance to avoid a conviction and minimize the potential effects - either by reducing charges or getting them dismissed altogether - is by contacting an aggressive Los Angeles drunk driving defense attorney.
• Remember - a drunk driving arrest is not the same as a conviction. You can fight back. Often drivers have the urge to flee a DUI stop because they are worried about the impact a DUI conviction may have on their future. With the help of an aggressive L.A. drunk driving defense lawyer you can fight back. Chemical and field sobriety tests can be challenged. Police may have failed to follow proper procedure when they stopped you. Common mistakes occur in drunk driving stops that may lead to the charges being thrown out.
At the Chahine Law Firm, we have years of experience helping those charged with any drunk driving offense get their charges reduced or eliminated. For more information, or if you have been arrested on a suspicion of drunk driving, contact the skilled L.A. drunk driving defense lawyers at The Chahine Law Firm for an immediate consultation.
