The Oklahoma Highway Patrol claims that a man who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol caused a fatal accident. The driver is facing charges for a felony DUI and leaving the scene of a fatal collision, as well as two counts for second-degree murder. He was apparently on probation because of a past DUI conviction.
The 52-year-old man may have been involved in a case of road rage at the time of the accident. A witness reported that the man was heading east on the highway when, for unknown reasons, he started to engage in reckless behavior directed toward a nearby vehicle. He ultimately hit the other vehicle on its passenger side, forcing it into the westbound lanes where it was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The driver then fled the scene.
Two people were killed in the wreck, one in the motor vehicle that was forced into the other lane and one in the car that had been traveling west. Another four people were injured, although their conditions are not available. Police later caught up with the person suspected of causing the accident, but he was apparently not injured in the incident. Authorities did not say how they determined that he was possibly intoxicated at the time of the wreck.
When it comes to DUI charges, second or third-time offenders usually face more severe consequences than first-time offenders. However, when facing other charges, some defendants might forget that it is important to prepare a defense to all charges and not just the most serious. Although this can feel overwhelming, an experienced attorney can usually provide guidance and ongoing support to Oklahoma defendants.