DWI Injury Accident

October 9, 2010

New Jersey Man Acquitted of Vehicular Homicide in Fatal Drunk Driving-related ATV Accident

According to news reports, a New Jersey man was found not guilty of homicide while driving drunk on an all-terrain vehicle. The original charges came from a DWI-related ATV accident back in 2009, which allegedly resulted in the death of another individual in Manchester Township.

Based on court records, 22-year-old Mark Renehan was declared not guilty in connection with the drunk driving-related death of his best friend, Jonathon Byram, on July 5, 2009. The charges at that time included homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, drunk driving, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

The young man’s attorney stated that because of the nature of the case, the prosecution should have done a more thorough examination of the circumstances before bringing the case to trial. As it ended up, the lawyer for Renehan said that the acquittal was a “just outcome.” The attorney went on to say that the jury came to the correct conclusion, especially considering that the defendant “lost his best friend” in the accident, making it a difficult trial for both his family and that of the victim’s.

September 25, 2010

New Jersey DWI Update: Woman Loses License for Seven Months after Plea Deal with Cape May Prosecutors

by Jonathan F. Marshall

A Gloucester Co. resident recently pleaded guilty to driving under the influence following her arrest in late June in Middle Township. According to court records, 21-year-old Jena L. Davidson of Swedesboro will have her driving privileges withheld for seven months. In addition to her DWI-related drivers license suspension, the judge in the case also called for the woman to have an ignition interlock device installed for the next 12 months to ensure that she doesn’t drive drunk.

News reports also show that the New Jersey motorist will be required to complete 12 hours of training administered through the New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center. As part of her guilty plea, Davidson also paid penalties of $664 in fines and court costs.

As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I’ve seen my share of tragic car accidents that could have turned out differently. As a drunk driving attorney, I always advise people to get a ride from a sober friend or make arrangements for alternate transportation in advance of “nights out on the town.”

September 16, 2010

NJ Drunk Driving News: Out-of-State Motorist Pleads Guilty in Fatal Lower Township DWI Case

by Jonathan F. Marshall

According to news reports, anout-of-state driver charged in the drunk driving death of a driver from Lower Township, NJ, has pleaded guilty to that 2009 fatal crash. In addition, court records show that the defendant, 38-year-old John J. Lawless, had been charged with driving under the influence a total of eight times over the course of 13 years.

As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer I know how serious a fatal drunken driving or drug DUI charge can be. In this case, the defendant was arrested after his vehicle struck another car driven by 50-year-old Frederick Shelton in September of last year.

Police reports show that Shelton’s vehicle was going southbound along Route 9 near Bennett’s Crossing, NJ, in Lower Township when Lawless’ vehicle came across the roadway’s centerline and smashed into Shelton’s car. Emergency responders arriving at the site of the crash pronounced Shelton dead at the scene.

August 31, 2010

Middle Township, NJ, Resident Faces DWI Charges following Accident that Seriously Injured Passenger

by Jonathan F. Marshall

A New Jersey driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after the vehicle in which he and another man were traveling crashed on Route 47 early on a Sunday morning. According to news reports, the accident occurred in Middle Township when 21-year-old Ryan Simcox of the township’s Rio Grande area apparently lost control of the vehicle.

As a result of the accident, Simcox’s passenger was thrown from the car. Based on police reports, 25-year-old Steven Adams was ejected from the vehicle when it crashed just before 3am near the Sonic restaurant at the Grande Center. The Whitesboro resident was thrown to the pavement and reportedly received serious injuries.

As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer and former municipal prosecutor, I understand the complications that such an accident can cause to a DWI defense case. In this case, an eye witness told police that the driver was speeding through a parking lot, allegedly accelerating as he ignored several stop signs prior to losing control and driving through a safety fence and then into a ditch. The witness was reportedly a night watchman for a nearby Lowe’s store.

August 21, 2010

New Jersey Drunk Driving News: Bergen County DWI and Drug DUI Police Blotter

by Jonathan F. Marshall

LyndhurstA 56-year-old out-of-state woman was arrested and charged with DWI after she apparently left the scene of a minor accident. According to police reports, officers were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on a late Monday afternoon, from which one of the drivers had subsequently left. At nearly the same time, police received reports of an allegedly intoxicated person in a Quality Inn parking lot across the street from the accident. The woman was taken into custody and eventually released on summonses.

East Rutherford

A 21-year-old Weehawken, NJ, female resident was stopped by police after officers observed the driver make a U-turn along New Jersey’s Route 120 and in the process hit the center divider of the highway. After pulling over the suspect’s car police determined that the woman was apparently intoxicated. Officers noticed a plastic bag in the vehicle, which the driver eventually identified as containing marijuana. She also admitted to police that she had planned to sell the controlled dangerous substance (CDS). The woman was arrested and charged with multiple violations including possession of CDS under 50 grams and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

August 18, 2010

New Jersey Drunk Driving News: Man Charged with DWI after Crashing Into Pickup Truck

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Something that seems to go hand in hand with intoxicated driving are traffic accidents. As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I and my associates know that moving violations and property damage usually don’t help when it comes to defending an individual against a drunk driving charge. The bottom line is, few if any police officers, prosecutors or judges will look kindly on a motorist who not only allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol, but may have caused an accident or injuries while doing so.

And don’t think that injuring yourself will gain you any sympathy in traffic court. The authorities maintain a dim view of anyone who gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while impaired due to alcohol, prescription drug or illegal drug (CDS) use. When in doubt, save yourself the headaches and call a cab, a good friend or a family member to drive you home.

A recent news article shows what can happen to a driver who may have had a bit too much to drink. According to reports, a Lower Township resident was charged with driving while intoxicated and then causing a traffic accident out in Middle Township.

July 31, 2010

New Jersey DWI News: Drunk Driving Blamed in Fatal Somerset County Motorcycle Accident

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I’ll be the first to tell someone that mixing alcohol and motorcycle riding is a recipe for disaster. But sadly, drinking and driving even for seasoned bikers is not uncommon. When someone makes a mistake and takes to the road after having a drink or two, the result can be a DWI arrest at the hands of one of New Jersey’s local, state or municipal law enforcement officers.

A news article not long ago told the story of a dual motorcycle crash that allegedly involved drunken driving. According to reports, three out-of-state riders met in a violent way on Route 78 near Bedminster, NJ, in late June. Police reports indicate that two motorcycles crashed in the early hours on a Sunday morning in northern New Jersey.

The crash, which the New Jersey State Police logged as a DWI-related claimed the life of a woman and left her companion critically injured. The other lone rider was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

July 17, 2010

New Jersey Woman Arrested for DWI following Near-fatal Drunk Driving Crash into Bay

by Jonathan F. Marshall

A potentially fatal car crash involving alcohol turned out well, at least in part, for a young woman from Gloucester County, New Jersey, in late June. According to news reports, the accident happened at the end of Shellbay Avenue in Cape May Court House, NJ. Police and emergency crews were called to the scene of a car which had driven off a pier and into the bay in Middle Township.

As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I’ve heard more than my fair share of tragic auto accident stories arising from driving while intoxicated. In this particular case, the 21-year-old driver will have to face the court over DWI-related charges, but at least she’s alive to talk about it.

Apparently police had received a 911 call just after 2pm on a Monday afternoon reporting that a car had gone over a bulkhead and was stuck front-end-down partially in the water, being held only by the safety railing at Carol Nicoletta Memorial Park. The driver, Jenna Davidson of Swedesboro, NJ, had been traveling east in her Toyota Camry Solara along on Shellbay Avenue when she failed to stop the vehicle as it entered the parking area.

July 8, 2010

Newark, NJ, Motorist Charged with Intoxicated Driving following High-speed Police Pursuit and Crash

by Jonathan F. Marshall

How can I make the most of a bad situation? This is would seem to be a typical question foremost in the mind of a person being pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol. Certainly there are things a person can do to soften the blow of a DWI arrest, but running from the cops isn’t one of them. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, my aim is to help drivers who have been accused of DWI and drug DUI — reckless driving and evading a police officer are not going to help one’s case.

This type of drunken driving arrest played out in Jersey City not long ago when an apparently inebriated driver was observed operating his automobile in a dangerous manner. According to reports, law enforcement officers in an unmarked vehicle saw a gold Mazda Millenia being driven recklessly along Martin Luther King Drive. Giving chase with their emergency lights activated they pursued the suspect vehicle, which proceeded to drive through a stop sign at Bostwick and Ocean avenues without stopping.

Apparently exceeding posted speed limits, the chase continued down Ocean Avenue, as officers saw the car cross a double yellow in order to swerve around traffic stopped for a red light at Bidwell Avenue. The driver reportedly ran two additional red lights before turning off Ocean.

July 5, 2010

New Jersey Drunk Driving News: Driver Charged with DWI following Hoboken Pedestrian Accident

by Jonathan F. Marshall

An apparently drunken out-of-state driver was taken into custody by Hoboken police after an early morning car-pedestrian traffic accident that resulted in the serious injury of a local man, according to news reports. Police said that the accident occurred around 1am on a Thursday morning right in front of Hoboken City Hall.

As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I’m well aware of the complications that an injury accident can add to a drunken driving case. Fortunately for the driver, 38-year-old Pamela Currie, the injured man was not killed as a result; a fatal accident involving driving under the influence of alcohol can be quite serious and may lead to extensive jail time depending on the circumstances.

According to the news, Currie was driving a red Nissan Xterra southbound on Washington Street prior to the collision. Police reports also indicate that a male passenger was traveling in the vehicle as well. Based on reports, if it is determined that the passenger was sober at the time of the crash then that individual could be hit with a fine for allowing an intoxicated person to operate a motor vehicle.