Since 2009, the penalties in Texas have increased for DWI crimes. Our Galveston DWI injury accident attorneys could say that these penalties are still not nearly serious enough for the crimes they represent. But occasionally, the newer, stiffer penalties do result in a stronger sentence for a DWI offender.
In other states like Colorado, courts seem more willing to treat DWI crimes with the severity they deserve. For example, on Friday a man from Pueblo, Colorado received a 68-year sentence for a DUI crash that killed 3 teen girls on a church outing. Gilbert Sanchez pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter in the case.
The three teen girls were riding home from a church event when Gilbert Sanchez crashed into them at more than 100 mph. Two other teens riding in the bed of Gilbert Sanchez’ pickup truck were ejected from the vehicle in the wreck and seriously injured. The original charges against Sanchez before his plea deal included child abuse and endangerment. (Source: kktv.com, 5/17/13)
In this particular DUI accident case, our Galveston DWI injury accident attorneys note that it might be because a drunken man killed 3 young teenaged girls on the way home from a church event that the sentence was much stronger than one usually sees. But such consequences should be the norm in all fatal DWI accident cases.
The Galveston DWI injury accident attorneys at Denena Points, PC emphasize that about one third of all fatal U.S. traffic accidents each year result from DWI crashes. Texas continues to hold the national top spot in DWI accidents and fatalities. And Harris County continues to hold the lead for DWI crimes in Texas.
Click the link to read about the U.S. NTSB’s proposed solution for the ongoing problem of deadlyDWI crashes and what it would mean for the average driver.