Maryland Man Convicted of DUI Manslaughter in Fatal Motorcycle Accident

Earlier last month, a Maryland jury convicted a man for DUI manslaughter stemming from the death of a 21-year-old motorcyclist. According to one local news report, the accident occurred back in 2012 near the intersection of MD 77 and Pleasant Valley Road.

Evidently, the accident occurred when the driver made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist without using his signal. As a result, the motorcyclist slammed into the side of the driver’s vehicle. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by responding emergency workers.

Upon investigating the blood-alcohol content of the driver, police discovered that the driver’s BAC was .15, almost twice the legal limit. At last month’s trial, the man was found guilty of operating a vehicle while “per se” intoxicated. This conviction carries with it a possible five years in prison as a punishment. Sentencing will be held after the court prepares a pre-sentence report.

Evidence Adduced at Trial

This case was in a criminal court. However, civil causes of action brought by the accident victim or their family can use the same kind of evidence to prove their case at trial. At trial in this case, there were several key pieces of evidence that were used to prove the drunk driving case against the defendant. For example, there was testimony from the bar where the driver was prior to the accident. Someone from the bar testified that they served the driver between four and five beers in the two hours before the accident.

The prosecution also submitted a picture showing that, at the time of the accident, the driver’s vehicle had an empty bottle of beer on the passenger-side floor area. The prosecution also admitted testimony from an eyewitness to the accident who testified that the driver “probably had too much to be driving.”

The Importance of Convincing Evidence

Not all evidence is created equal. Some evidence, such as testimony from a passenger in a vehicle or a family member, may not be given as much weight by a judge or jury due to the potential bias inherent in the witness’ testimony. Other evidence, such as a defendant’s blood work or eyewitness testimony from a neutral witness, on the other hand, can be extremely valuable.

Due to the difference in how different types of evidence are viewed in the eyes of a judge or jury, it is very important to determine what types of evidence should be presented at trial. A dedicated Maryland motorcycle accident attorney can assist in the gathering and selection of evidence.

Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on the negligence of the driver. While this may be easier to prove in cases involving drunk driving, the other driver doesn’t necessarily need to have been intoxicated for you to recover. In many cases, we are able to recover for our clients based on the other driver’s negligence in operating their vehicle. To learn more, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free initial consultation with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.

More Blog Posts:

Episcopal Bishop Asked to Resign After Involvement in Fatal Bicycle Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published February 26, 2015.

Motorcycle Accident on Inner Loop Injures One, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 21, 2014.

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