A few weeks ago, a truck driver in Haywood County was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) twice in the span of about five hours. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, tractor-trailer driver Daryl Garrett was pulled over on the evening of August 14, 2018. The officer involved noticed he had slurred speech and other signs of impairment. There was also alcohol in the vehicle. Garrett was arrested and charged with DWI and commercial DWI at that time. He was then issued a $5,000 unsecured bond at the magistrate’s office. He made that bond and was able to leave.
Second DWI in Tractor Trailer
Approximately four and a half hours later at about 2:00 a.m., another trooper pulled him over on westbound I-40. Garrett had a can of beer inside of the truck cab, and he was arrested for DWI again. The second bond, a secured bond of $20,000 was applied. As of Friday, he was still in the Haywood County Jail. Apparently, Garrett refused a blood test during the first arrest, so his license was revoked during that instance. During the second arrest, he was also charged with driving on a revoked license.
Truck Crashes in The U.S.
In 2016, there were 4,317 people killed in crashes involving large trucks.
Between 2015 and 2016, there was a 5.4 percent increase in crash fatalities involving large trucks.
Two percent of the large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2016 had blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher.
Truck Accidents in Asheville
Since commercial trucks are often much heavier and larger than traditional passenger occupant vehicles, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has additional rules and regulations for truck drivers and trucking companies. Investigations involving tractor-trailers and semi trucks can take longer to fully investigate than crash investigations involving only passenger occupant vehicles. After any kind of accident involving a semi truck, it’s a good idea to speak with a Personal Injury lawyer with proven truck accident case experience.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in an accident involving a commercial trucking vehicle in Asheville or in any of the surrounding Western North Carolina communities, contact the skilled and proven Personal Injury team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation today.