Woman Arrested in Lakewood DUI Accident That Left One Person Dead

Female Driver, 20, Charged With Vehicular Homicide and DUI After Deadly Lakewood Collision by Kipling Parkway and West 6th Avenue Frontage Road

A 20-year-old woman is facing multiple criminal charges after a deadly Lakewood car accident near the intersection of Kipling Parkway and West 6th Avenue Frontage Road. Jefferson County officials are saying that the accident took place in the early morning hours of Saturday.

A woman was allegedly traveling 80 mph in a 40 mph zone. She was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The force of the impact caused multiple people in that vehicle to be ejected. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision. Sadly, one person died due to the severity of their injuries. Authorities suspect that alcohol and speeding were likely factors in the crash. They have since arrested the 20-year-old driver, who is now facing multiple criminal charges. Those charges include vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and DUI. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing.

Liability for Lakewood DUI Accidents 

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Pursuant to CO Rev Stat § 42-4-1301, any person who drives a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a combination of one or more drugs commits driving under the influence. The police will use many different tactics if they suspect that you may be intoxicated while driving.

• Inspections: After an officer pulls you over, they may shift towards various close-range indicators. In particular, they are looking to see if you can answer basic questions and if you have the odor of alcohol on your breath.
• Sobriety Tests: Officers may ask you to exit the vehicle to perform an informal coordination test. This may be followed up by a more formal field sobriety test.
• Breath Test: Officers may administer a breath test to establish probable cause that you were intoxicated.
• Blood Tests: If you are arrested for DUI, you may be ordered to take a blood test.

After being pulled over on suspicion of DUI, it is best to avoid arguing with the police officer or volunteering information. Attempting to explain yourself in this setting nearly always does more harm than good. Do not consent to searches of your vehicle. Instead, assert your right to seek legal counsel and speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

 How an Attorney Can Help After Being Charged With DUI 

Many people are charged with DUI every year in the United States. According to the Colorado Department of Public Safety, “In 2019, Colorado prosecutors filed 26,165 cases with at least one DUI charge.  Colorado had a high conviction rate for DUI charges (88%), with increasing convictions for charges associated with high Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) results (96%), high Delta 9-THC results (92%), and high polydrug results (92%).” There are several ways that a criminal defense attorney can help if you’ve been charged with DUI and related crimes.

• Challenge the Traffic Stop: An attorney can scrutinize whether or not an officer’s traffic stop of your vehicle had legal justification. When a traffic stop lacks justification, any evidence obtained may be suppressed, including BAC tests.
• Challenge Evidence: DUI cases in Colorado rely heavily on chemical testing. These tests can be imperfect. An attorney can challenge the reliability of the machines used to conduct these tests.
• Protect Your Driver’s License: Being charged with DUI in Colorado can lead to having your license suspended. An attorney can handle the DMV hearing related to this matter.
• Reduce or Avoid Jail Time: An attorney can take steps to reduce lengthy jail times and fines. When possible, they may be able to avoid felony convictions.

It can be difficult to know where to begin if you’ve been charged with DUI. The penalties can be severe, especially if they are accompanied by additional charges. Any person charged with DUI or related crimes is protected by a number of laws. The state has a legal obligation to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. That is a high bar to clear. There is tremendous peace of mind knowing that someone is fighting on your behalf throughout this process.

Getting Legal Help for Lakewood DUI Car Accidents 

We at DeChant Law were very concerned to hear about this Lakewood DUI accident. It is our sincere hope that all injured parties will be able to recover and that the family members of the person who died will be able to find peace. This incident demonstrates how one car trip can change the lives of individuals and families forever.

Have you or someone that you care about been charged with a crime in the state of Colorado? We care deeply that people are aware of their constitutional rights and that those rights are protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to our office anytime at 303-409-7500.