Although all DWI charges are relatively serious, the stakes are extremely high after deadly crashes. If you have been accused of causing a deadly crash while drunk in North Carolina, you face years or even decades in prison. However, these consequences are far from guaranteed – and a recent case shows that it is possible to avoid them.
College Student’s DWI Charges Dropped After Repeated Negative Drug Tests
In February of 2024, a college student approached stalled vehicles on I-40 before striking one. The impact claimed the life of one individual who was trying to re-attach a trailer. Police initially found that the college student had failed to slow down before the crash, and they also claimed that she was intoxicated by marijuana at the time.
However, blood tests failed to detect any THC in the defendant’s bloodstream immediately after the collision. Furthermore, the defendant submitted to periodic drug tests in the weeks after the crash. Again, there was not a single trace of THC in her bloodstream.
Prosecutors, therefore, had no choice but to drop the DWI charge completely. Instead, the defendant agreed to plead guilty to “failure to reduce speed.” This is a traffic offense that is nowhere near as serious as a deadly DWI – a charge that is life-changing for most defendants.
The complete absence of THC in the student’s bloodstream is significant because of the amount of time THC remains in the body after initial ingestion. Even after two months, trace levels of THC may still register in some blood tests.
In other words, the college student was not intoxicated at the time – and she was not even an intermittent marijuana user. It is not clear why police officers suspected that she might be intoxicated by marijuana, and the total lack of THC in her system places doubt on whether there was ever “reasonable suspicion.”
News Website Issues Official Apology
One news site was forced to issue an official apology about how they reported the crash. Initially, at least one source incorrectly stated that the victim and his family member had pulled to the side of the road before trying to re-attach the trailer. In fact, they were in the middle of the road – and they may have committed a traffic offense by stopping illegally.
This story highlights the many challenges defendants face when accused of DWIs. Both law enforcement and local media often jump to conclusions – making it difficult to prevent both criminal convictions and reputational damage.
Can a North Carolina DWI Defense Lawyer Help Me?
A North Carolina DWI defense lawyer may be able to help you avoid some of the worst consequences associated with drunk driving. These include penalties for allegedly causing deadly crashes, which can be particularly severe. As this recent case shows, it is possible to challenge the evidence laid against you – including chemical test results. To learn more about DWI defense strategies, contact Coastal South Law today.
Comments