Some people seem to have a hard time learning a lesson in the midst of their mistakes. Often, those who have been the cause of car accidents treat the issue seriously by admitting their guilt and attempting to right the wrong for which they were responsible. Others, however, have a cavalier attitude about any damage they may have caused. The actions of one man facing charges after he caused a car accident on a Colorado highway led to a change from his original plea of innocence to one of guilt.
The police charged the 21-year-old with vehicular assault after he caused an accident that sent three people, including himself, to the hospital. State troopers found alcohol in his car, and his words were slurred when officers tried to speak to him, but he refused to submit to any roadside sobriety testing. Police obtained a warrant to have his blood drawn, but because it was several hours after the incident, the test indicated there was only a small amount of alcohol in his bloodstream. Based on that evidence, the man entered a not-guilty plea, and his lawyer tried to have the case dismissed, but the motion was denied by the judge.
Months later, a police detective, who was at a marijuana dispensary tending to business on an unrelated case, overheard a customer laughing about a court appearance and the fact that he may be going to jail after he caused an accident that injured others. The detective remembered seeing the man in the courthouse and knew he had just heard a confession to the crime. A few days later, the man went before a judge and changed his plea, but a report on the incident did not specify whether or not he had realized the identity of the detective at the dispensary, thus prompting him to reconsider.
Taking responsibility for negligent actions is something some people have no intention of doing unless the legal system forces compliance. Whether they cause car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents or physical harm in another way, holding these people accountable for their actions will need to come from the ones who have been injured. Those in Colorado wishing to pursue legal action will want a professional who has a thorough knowledge of personal injury law to give them the best chance of a favorable outcome.
Source: aspendailynews.com, “Local man pleads guilty on last day of accident trial“, Chad Abraham, Oct. 5, 2016
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