A 31-year-old Knoxville woman is in serious condition and serious trouble with the law. The woman was behind the wheel when her vehicle left the road and struck a culvert. Two passengers were killed and the driver and another woman are in serious condition in a local hospital. Police say charges are pending. My prayers go out to each of these unfortunate people.

Police reports indicate speed and alcohol played a part in the crash and no one was wearing a seat belt. Whether it’s referred to as drunk driving, driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence, impaired driving simply means a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised by alcohol and other drugs that change the function of the brain and body.

Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes, add speeding and the chances of something really ugly happening, increase greatly. Add the fact that none of the people in the car had taken the time to secure their seat belts and death becomes a forgone conclusion.

The experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates have handled hundreds of cases involving drunk drivers and can help you if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in such an accident. Contact us for the free consultation and find out about your rights. Call 615-356-2000.

Drunk Hit & Run Driver

Hakeem Nadhir Abdur Raqeeb, formerly known as Carl Anthony Simmons, has made it to my people who should never be allowed to drive again list for 2009. If you follow my blog you know the general profile of candidates for this title. Usually it’s someone who gets drunk or high and gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and causes the death of another and then leaves the scene of the accident.

According to an article on the NewsChannel5 website, Mr. Raqeeb was driving drunk last Wednesday when he swerved into a vehicle driven by Perry Dale III and forced his car into a utility pole and several trees. Mr. Dale died in the crash while Mr. Raqeeb sped off  so that he could avoid the consequences of his action. My sympathy and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Dale.

What kind of person wrecks another or hits a pedestrian and leaves them to die in the street? Obviously, some drivers, like Mr. Raqeeb, are impaired by alcohol or drugs. If there is anything worse than a drunk driver, it is a drunk driver who causes an accident and then flees the scene. Others are drivers with no license, like Mr. Raqeeb, perhaps their license has been suspended or revoked because of prior traffic violations, or they never had one in the first place.

Then there are drivers who want to avoid detection because they are uninsured and don’t want to be financially responsible themselves for the damage that they have done. Even though liability insurance is required in every state, you’d be stunned at the number of uninsured drivers on the road. Mr. Raqeeb is presently in jail charged with vehicular homicide, and yes, driving without a license, on a bond in the amount of 177,500.00. If you want to let your voice be heard contact District Attorney General Victor S. Johnson, at 615-862-5500 and tell him what you think ought to be done with people like Mr. Raqeeb.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed by a drunk driver contact the experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.