Last week, a teen driver allegedly under the influence of alcohol collided with a minivan driven by a 66-year-old woman in downtown Santa Fe. The 16-year-old driver was headed north on De Fouri Street when he reportedly struck the front tire of the minivan. The van was then forced over the curb and hit the wall of a nearby historic building. Following the crash, the owner of Alpine Builders Supply, the business located inside of the more than 100-year-old building, was temporarily trapped inside his office.
Santa Fe Police Captain Aric Wheeler stated there were signs of alcohol use inside the teen’s vehicle, but he was unsure whether the juvenile would be charged with driving while intoxicated. A New Mexico juvenile probation and parole officer will determine whether the teen will be jailed over the incident.
According to witnesses, the teen and a companion fled the scene following the crash. The driver of the minivan and her 12-year-old passenger were taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for minor injuries. Following a field sobriety test, the 16-year-old was eventually treated at the same hospital for minor injuries.
The owner of the business hit, Jim George, said one of the inner walls of the building shifted such that he could not leave his office. George’s son reportedly freed him using a pry bar from the shop’s inventory. Boards now cover holes in the wall of the historic building. George’s son stated the crash was loud and he expected the driver who hit the building to suffer from serious injuries.
Alcohol-related accidents are all too common in New Mexico. Unfortunately, everyone on the road is put at risk each time an impaired driver chooses to get behind the wheel of an automobile. When a driver is accused of drunk driving, criminal charges may be filed. Additionally, an injured victim may sue the allegedly intoxicated driver for damages related to an accident. Although an impaired driver’s automobile insurance limits may be insufficient to cover all of a victim’s damages, an injured person may also choose to file a claim against a bar or restaurant at which an inebriated driver was served. Contact a capable New Mexico drunk driving attorney to learn more about so-called dram shop cases.
Contact the Fine Law Firm if you or a loved one was hurt by a drunken or otherwise impaired driver in the State of New Mexico. Our experienced Santa Fe car accident lawyers help individuals who were injured in a collision caused by another driver. At the Fine Law Firm, we represent clients who were the victim of an unexpected injury or tragically lost a loved one in auto accidents throughout New Mexico. Our hardworking and diligent attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience assisting New Mexico clients achieve fair compensation for their injuries. To discuss your case with a capable car accident attorney, call the Fine Law Firm at (505) 889-3463 or contact us through our website.
More Blogs:
Charges Filed Against Driver Who Killed Albuquerque Bicyclist, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April 12, 2012
Preliminary New Mexico State University Study Finds No Significant Benefit to Las Cruces Red Light Cameras, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, March 21, 2012
Additional Resources:
DWI suspected in afternoon crash in downtown Santa Fe, by Nico Roesler, The New Mexican