When people are involved in a traffic accident, it is understandable that they might appear disoriented afterward, even if there is no sign of obvious serious injury. Unfortunately, police may interpret this disorientation as a sign that a driver is actually under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In fact, a woman in Virginia is facing drunk driving charges after she allegedly crashed her vehicle into a pond.
The incident that led to the woman’s arrest reportedly happened one evening in February. Police say that they were initially contacted by a woman who claims she was struck by a hit-and-run driver. According to the woman, she was stopped at a traffic light when another vehicle executed a wide turn, resulting in a collision; the second driver allegedly left the scene.
Police claim that, while they were searching for the second driver, a woman — who reportedly was muddy, wet and not wearing any shoes — flagged down an officer and attempted to enter his vehicle, claiming that she needed to go home. The officer states that he then noticed that she appeared to be intoxicated. She reportedly showed him her vehicle, which she had reportedly crashed into a pond, forcing her to swim to shore. Once removed from the pond, officers claim that the front end of the vehicle had damage consistent with the reported hit-and-run.
Police conducted a field sobriety test, and the Virginia woman was taken into custody; she is now facing drunk driving charges as well as a hit-and-run charge. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system can seem overwhelming for those accused of a crime, especially when defendants have little legal experience. However, there are professionals who can help those facing charges as they navigate through the process, providing advice and ensuring they are able to make informed decisions about their cases.
