Pedestrian Injured by Alleged Drunk Driver in Union County, NJ, DWI Traffic Accident

A 25-year-old resident of Clark, NJ, was hit in a Westfield crosswalk by an allegedly drunk driver last week. According to reports, Gina Marotta was hit by a car driven by a Union County woman as she crossed the street outside of Lord & Taylor. As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I have great sympathy for those injured as a result of drunk driving accidents. At the same time, I know that everyone deserves to have their say in a court of law. Driving under the influence of alcohol or even prescription drugs can cause impaired judgment and result in a DUI arrest, or worse.

The news reports regarding this incident indicate that 55-year-old Leslie Boughner hit Marotta around noon on August 5 on North Avenue as the woman was returning to her job at the Lord & Taylor department store. Police officers issued Boughner a summons for DWI and also took a blood sample to check the woman’s blood-alcohol content (BAC).

According to reports, Marotta suffered a broken arm, broken leg and head injuries. Emergency responders transported her to University Hospital in Newark, where she underwent surgery at the hospital’s trauma center.

At the time of the news reports, the Union County prosecutor’s office had not received any contact from the Westfield police regarding the case. Usually, the prosecutor’s office will be contacted by police whenever there is an incident involving hit and run cases or fatal pedestrian accidents, neither of which is the case in this instance Westfield. Depending on the victim’s injuries and her recovery, not to mention the driver’s blood test, it’s possible that the case could be handled in municipal court.

Regardless, an experience New Jersey DWI attorney can be of great help in DWI injury cases. In the case of fatal drunk driving accidents it’s a necessity to have a qualified leagal profession at one’s side. The attorney’s at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are available 24/7 to handle cases involving arrests for driving while intoxicated, as well as breath test refusal and drug DUI.

Update: Accident Victim in Stable Condition, Investigation of Drunk Driving Allegation Continues, Westfield.Patch.com, August 6, 2009