The parents of a bicyclist who was killed in a drunk driving car accident received a wrongful death settlement of just over $1 million.
Barbara Nordlund and Robert L’Ecuyer were awarded the wrongful death settlement from the insurance company of Melissa Arrington — the driver of the car — as well as Berky’s tavern in Tuscon, AZ. Arrington swerved off a road in Arizona and killed Paul L’Ecuyer in a fatal bicycle accident.
Our San Diego car accident lawyers continue to stress the point that drinking and driving is not only dangerous to you and other drivers, but it is illegal. There are good reasons why people shouldn’t drink and drive: innocent civilians — drivers and pedestrians.
Melissa Arrington, 27, was driving home from a Tuscon bar with a BAC level of .15. She swerved off a road and hit a bicyclist causing his wrongful death. (Source: ABC News)
Our personal attorneys in San Diego are know that bike riders face extreme danger should a car ever hit them. Without the added safety features of automobiles, these bicyclists face the threat of serious injuries When a drunk-driver is added to the mix, wrongful death is often the result.
The state of Arizona takes great measures to discourage people from drinking and driving. For one thing, the penalty for drinking and driving is very severe. Arrington was sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison in January 2008 when a jury convicted her of negligent homicide and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).
That much time in prison assigned for a crime should make you think twice before you get in a car even after one drink. Drinking can affect your senses and judgment, and if either of those is compromised, a car accident can happen .
Almost three hours after the car accident, a blood test was taken from Arrington that showed her blood alcohol level was 0.156, almost double the legal limit. Arrington admitted she had three drinks at the bar before the fatal car crash, but she claims she swerved while reaching for hand sanitizer.
The family of L’Ecuyer intends to use the settlement as a start-up for a scholarship created in their son’s name. Our car accident attorneys believe this is an admirable way to turn a negative into a positive, but in our opinion, the negative should never have happened.
Drivers need to be more responsible if they decide to go out for a drink. Call a cab. Call a friend. Just don’t get behind the wheel. That’s a one-way street to a drunk-driving accident.
We hope that you will do everything in your power to prevent a DUI accident from occurring.
Call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or click here for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney and find out how we can help you. We speak English and Spanish, and we look forward to providing advice for your case. No fee if no recovery.
Related posts:
- Record $330 Million Wrongful Death Settlement Awarded
- Marine Charged With Murder After Causing O.C. Doctor’s Wrongful Death In Car Accident
- Little League Honors Adenhart After DUI Wrongful Death
- End to Floatopia Causing Drunk Driving Could be Possible
- Settlement Awarded In DUI Wrongful Death Of Teacher
Tags: Berky's, bicycle accidents, DUI, wrongful death settlement
