Virginia Woman Arrested For DUI Following Collision

According to Virginia’s Move Over Law, drivers are required to vacate the lane closest to emergency vehicles, road maintenance and utility vehicles, and tow trucks that are stopped on the road, if it is safe to do so, or slow down to a safe speed. A 21-year-old Virginia driver violated this law when she struck two police cars that were stopped to conduct a traffic stop on the highway. The driver was charged with a DUI following the accident.

A police officer, being assisted by two additional units, reportedly were conducting a traffic stop and were getting ready to leave the scene when the woman’s SUV crashed into two vehicles. All three vehicles were towed from the scene, but neither the officers nor the woman were injured.

Any time an accident occurs, police officers at the scene will likely evaluate the drivers involved and determine if they behaved negligently or recklessly behind the wheel. In many cases, the driver will have violated a traffic law, which is often considered a form of negligence. In some cases, the officer may notice that the driver is exhibiting signs of intoxication (e.g. bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, breath smelling of alcohol). In such cases, an officer may ask the driver to take a Breathalyzer test or chemical test to determine whether the driver is legally intoxicated. If they are, they may face DUI charges.

In Virginia, if the driver’s alcohol concentration is .08 or higher, they are automatically deemed to be legally intoxicated and can be charged with a DUI. If a driver’s alcohol concentration is less than .08, they may still be charged with a DUI if the officer finds that the driver was under the influence of a substance that somehow prevents them from driving safely. However, without a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher, the prosecutor will have a more difficult time proving their case against you. A criminal defense attorney can go over all possible defense strategies after evaluating the facts of your case.