Vehicular Assault :: Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

A mail carrier is faced with a variety of charges after she hit a Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper head-on Friday night while driving under the influence in her postal vehicle. The Trooper was apparently trying to turn into a gas station when the lady crossed lanes and struck his vehicle. The Trooper was taken to the hospital, but he was treated and released without critical injuries. The charges against the drunken driver include DUI, driving without insurance, failure to keep control of a vehicle, and vehicular assault.

Tennessee law provides that a driver can be charged with vehicular assault when, as a result of that driver’s intoxication, the driver recklessly causes serious bodily injury to another person by the operation of a motor vehicle. Intoxication in this context includes intoxication by both alcohol and drugs. Vehicular assault in Tennessee is a Class D felony, punishable by two to twelve years in prison and a fine of up to five thousand dollars.

In addition to a fine and imprisonment, Tennesseans convicted of vehicular assault will also find themselves subject to being prohibited from driving in the state. The first such conviction will result in a one-year suspension. The second such conviction will result in a two-year suspension. The third will result in a three-year suspension. Fourth and subsequent convictions will result in a five-year suspension.

There are a myriad of reasons why driving under the influence is a bad idea. Criminal charges, liability in a personal injury suit, and injury to the driver and others are just a few of those reasons. It is also important to realize that driving under the influence can often result in more than just a DUI charge, as is the case with the lady described above who is also facing vehicular assault, failure to keep control of a vehicle, and other charges. Depending on the seriousness of the injuries caused by the driver, he or she can also end up facing much more serious charges such as vehicular homicide.

Source: http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/76831177.html