The 26-year-old man who police said lost control of a Chevrolet Avalanche and allegedly caused the death of a 33-year-old woman has been released from jail in El Paso on a $75,000 bond. According to the arrest affidavit, the vehicle went up on a sidewalk and struck a stop sign. When the sign fell, it hit the woman who had been waiting to cross the street. She died at the scene from a blow to the head.
The police reported that the driver appeared to be intoxicated after making the man take a field sobriety test. Court records indicate that he failed this initial assessment but refused to take a breath test.
Police requested a warrant to extract a blood sample from the man, but so far no documentation about his blood alcohol level has been presented in court. Prior to his release from jail, authorities charged him with intoxicated manslaughter.
When a person faces allegations of operating a vehicle under the influence, serious criminal charges can result, especially if someone is injured or killed. A person accused of drunk driving has the right to obtain representation from a criminal defense attorney. Advice from an attorney might help the person make decisions about how to enter a plea in court. An explanation of legal rights could be provided by an attorney so that the person does not have to rely solely on police and prosecutors for information. An attorney might also prepare a defense strategy. This might include challenging the results of a field sobriety test or opening negotiations for a plea deal.
