The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a Stephens County man was intoxicated when he lost control of his pickup truck and crashed on the night of May 26. Initial reports indicate that the 59-year-old Duncan man’s Ford F250 rolled over about four times after leaving the southbound lane of U.S. Highway 81 near Marlow. It is not clear what led troopers to determine that the man was driving while under the influence of alcohol, and media reports do not contain any information about his alleged blood alcohol concentration.
Firefighters rescue trapped driver
The one-vehicle accident occurred about half a mile south of Blackburn Road at approximately 9:06 p.m. according to the OHP. Officers from the Marlow Police Department, deputies from the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and rescue workers from the Marlow Fire Department responded to the scene. They discovered the man trapped inside his badly damaged pickup truck at the foot of a drop on the right side of the roadway. Firefighters spent about 15 minutes freeing the man from his vehicle.
Rescue helicopter called in
The man suffered serious injuries to his head, arms, legs and torso. He was initially transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. However, emergency room doctors quickly determined that he had also suffered internal injuries. This discovery prompted doctors to all in a helicopter to fly him to a trauma center in Oklahoma City.
Challenging toxicology evidence in drunk driving cases
Prosecutors must prove criminal charges beyond reasonable doubt to secure a conviction, and this is generally done in drunk driving cases by introducing the results of blood or breath tests. Experienced criminal defense attorneys may challenge the reliability of BAC evidence if the equipment used to conduct breath tests was not properly maintained or blood samples were not handled in accordance with strict protocols. Attorneys could also question toxicology evidence when their clients suffer from a medical condition known to influence breath-test results. If you are charged with DUI, a defense attorney may ask you detailed questions about your medical history and how toxicology tests were performed before advising you about your legal options.
