It has been preached to kids from the time they are little — don’t drink and drive. While most people don’t set out to break the law, human nature sometimes leads to less than positive decisions. Being arrested for a DUI is one thing, but facing a DUI along with a vehicular assault accusation is more serious. One Tennessee driver may find that he is now in just that situation, and the punishments he may face could be severe.

The charges stem from an accident that the driver is believed to have caused. He was allegedly behind the wheel on a recent evening in early May when his vehicle is said to have struck a man on his motorcycle. The motorcyclist was reportedly traveling in the eastern lane of a two-way road when the accident occurred. The rider was flung some 30 feet from his bike, with his head gear still fastened.

The 60-year-old man was transported to a university medical center. After surgeons operated, he was reportedly receiving treatment in the critical care unit. The 23-year-old driver was taken into police custody and charged with vehicular assault and DUI. There was no indication that the driver or his 24-year-old passenger suffered injuries in the collision. Police are still working to complete their report on the exact cause of the wreck.

Understandably, the charges against this man are grave, and he is facing almost certain jail time if he is found guilty of a DUI and vehicular assault charge within the criminal court system. In Tennessee, a DUI with bodily injury, such as occurred with this accident, may be classified as a vehicular assault and, as such, is a felony. In addition to a possible sentence looming over this young man, there may be other costly repercussions as well, including fines and possible punishments regarding his driving privileges. It is important to remember that he does have legal rights and does not have to face these allegations alone. Moreover, he may seek help to challenge the evidence and otherwise work to achieve a result that is in the personal interests of the accused man.

Source: columbiadailyherald.com, “Lewisburg man charged with DUI in serious accident“, Vanessa Curry, May 5, 2014