DWI suspect in New York car accident hits bystanders

When people get behind the wheel of their cars, they do not always consider the consequences of their behavior. If they don't pay attention to the rules of the road, they might wind up in a car accident, sometimes causing serious injury to others.

That seems to be the case for one New York driver. Witnesses reported seeing him speeding down a Manhattan street in excess of 80 miles an hour. Subsequently, he lost control of his rented car and crashed into several people, critically injuring a curbside florist and seriously injuring a deli worker who was standing nearby. Both were quickly taken to the hospital. Other people, including a cyclist and the passenger in the vehicle, also were hurt and received treatment for minor injuries.

The car crushed the floral shop, and took out other items on the street, including a tree, a phone booth, and a streetlight. The sound of the crash jolted neighbors in the area and sent parts of a fire hydrant flying nearly a half-block away, nicking the bicyclist.

Authorities charged the driver with a count of driving while intoxicated when he refused a breath test. Later, police say they found a stash of hashish in the driver’s sock when they took him to a nearby hospital for treatment of gashes to his head.

Overcoming the pain and suffering caused by a careless driver may mean weeks or months of recovery along with huge medical bills due to serious injuries. This kind of trauma is difficult to handle all alone. Securing the knowledgeable assistance of a legal professional can make the process less painful.