Connect with us

World

Impaired Driver may have Caused Series of Crashes on I-41

mm

Published

on

An impaired driver may have caused several severe accidents in Wisconsin on Fathers’ Day. On June 21, 2020, emergency personnel responded to major accidents on the I-41 highway, near Slinger, Wisconsin. Included in the accidents was a three-car collision which resulted in two vehicles becoming engulfed in flames. Three individuals were transported to seek immediate medical attention. Following the accident, police arrived on the scene and arrested one individual for intoxicated driving.

Details of the Accident

According to Wisconsin State Patrol officials, an intoxicated driver was heading northbound from the US 45 interstate split to WIS 60 highway in Washington County on the evening of Fathers’ Day. Officials say that the driver initially collided with a large camping trailer, causing debris to cover the I-41 highway. Despite causing shutdowns on some lanes of the highway, no individuals were injured in the initial collision. The intoxicated driver then fled the scene and continued down the roadway.

Following the preliminary accident, the intoxicated driver caused another major accident shortly after the first collision. The second accident resulted in a three-car collision and severe injuries. Emergency responders including fire fighters, police, and emergency medical technicians arrived on the scene of the accident. One individual was transported by an emergency helicopter to a local hospital. Additionally, two other individuals were transported by emergency medical services to receive treatment for injuries resulting from the accident.

“Accidents involving intoxicated drivers could be especially dangerous for several reasons,” said attorney Ronald F. Wittmeyer, Jr. of the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. “Intoxication may reduce a driver’s reaction time, concentration, and ability to accurately see objects in front of them. Additionally, intoxication may increase feelings of drowsiness or a desire to take risks. As a result, these injuries could lead to severe injuries or fatalities.”

Police Investigation and Arrest

The fires caused by the collisions resulted in the total shutdown of all traffic lanes on the I-41 northbound highway. Officials say that while severe injuries resulted from the accidents, no fatalities occurred. Additionally, no children were involved in the automobile crashes.

Following the series of accidents, the officers from the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Washington County Sheriff arrived to investigate the accidents. After an initial investigation, a 31-year-old individual was arrested on several charges. This includes operating while intoxicated (OWI), possession of narcotics, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The Prevalence of Intoxicated Driving in Wisconsin

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), nearly 24,000 individuals were convicted of an operating while intoxicated charge in 2015. While a majority of those convicted were above the legal age to consume alcohol, roughly 7 percent of overall OWI convictions occurred with individuals under the age of 21. The median alcohol concentration results for those who received an OWI citation in 2015 was around 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit while operating a vehicle in Wisconsin. Overall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identified Wisconsin as the 4th most prevalent state for alcohol-impaired driving compared to the rest of the United States.

In 2015, intoxicated driving contributed to over 5,000 alcohol-related automobile accidents in Wisconsin, resulting in nearly 3,000 recorded injuries. Additionally, of the 390 drivers who died as a result of a traffic fatality, over 120 tested positive for alcohol and 108 were found to be legally intoxicated at the time of the accident. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation found that alcohol was a contributing circumstance in over 48 percent of traffic-related deaths.

Tips to Avoid Intoxicated Driving

There are several actions that individuals could take to reduce the prevalence of intoxicated driving in Wisconsin. This includes actions such as choosing a designated driver before going to a restaurant or bar, not drinking alcohol if dining alone, or utilizing ride-hailing services such as Uber, Lyft, or taxis. Proactive individuals could also refuse to get in a car with an intoxicated driver or hold on to a friend’s car keys if they have recently consumed alcohol and plan on driving.

Additionally, there are numerous warning signs that drivers could look out for to detect drunk drivers traveling on roadways. Being familiar with some common signs of intoxicated drivers may help prevent a person from becoming involved in an automobile accident. Drunk drivers may frequently drift in traffic lanes, drive on the wrong side of the road, or make sudden or erratic stops.

Jenny is one of the oldest contributors of Bigtime Daily with a unique perspective of the world events. She aims to empower the readers with delivery of apt factual analysis of various news pieces from around the World.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World

Top Road Trip Destinations in Canada

mm

Published

on

Did you know that 1.93 million Americans traveled to Canada in 2020? That number was down year-over-year due to COVID-related travel restrictions. 

While some Americans visit the Great White North via plane, others prefer road trips. It can be fun to plan an itinerary, book a hotel, pack the luggage, load your family into the car, and head to the border. But if a road trip to Canada is in the plans for you and yours this summer, what Canadian destinations are worth the potentially thousands of miles of driving? Keep reading to learn about the top road trip destinations in Canada.

Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan

Grasslands National Park is one of Canada’s 44 national parks and park reserves. Whether you’re an earlier bird or a night owl, the national park in Southern Saskatchewan provides an ideal prairie landscape. It’s the perfect place to unwind, immerse yourself in nature, and recalibrate your life.

Enjoy the great outdoors on a campsite, or take part in hiking adventures by exploring trails. The solitude and breathtaking beauty of this national park will leave you in awe. Make time for the Ecotour Scenic Drive. It’s about 20 km (around 12.5 miles) long and will take one to three hours to complete depending on your pace. 

Toronto to Stratford, Ontario

If there’s one Canadian city most Americans have heard of, it’s Toronto. Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is the fourth largest city on the continent. It’s also home to the only authentic castle in North America. Casa Loma, located in midtown Toronto, is worth the visit. So, too, is the CN Tower, which is the biggest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The city also has citizens representing 200+ ethnic groups. 

While there’s plenty to see and do in Toronto, why stop there? It’s a good idea to include a Toronto-to-Stratford excursion while on your road trip to Canada. You must travel 150 km (about 93 miles ) west to get to Stratford. You’ll see Victorian architecture and get to take in the live theater. Most Americans probably haven’t heard of Stratford before. But when you come for a visit, there’s a good possibility you won’t ever forget it.

North Cape Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

If you haven’t ever taken a road trip to Prince Edward Island, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s Canada’s smallest province, but it sure offers a boatload of fun. Are you a foodie or do you like to indulge in the local cuisine when traveling? Check out the western peninsula. You can delight your tastebuds with the range of food available. 

Make time to visit the Canadian Potato Museum in the province. After taking in the sites and attractions at the museum, enjoy a meal at the onsite PEI Potato Country Kitchen. The menu has items like the chili topped baked potato, which features a baked potato, homemade chili, and cheese. Meanwhile, the pulled pork potato features a baked potato topped with pulled pork, cheese, and sour cream on the side. That’s just a sampling, and all baked potato dishes are served with fresh-cut, homemade chips.

If you’re intersted in a U.S. to Canada road trip this year, the options above will give you some ideas. The sky’s the limit since there’s so much to see and do. 

You’ll want to ensure your vehicle is in good working order to avoid breakdowns. You’ll also want to stay alert on the road since you’ll be traveling a lot of miles and spending hours behind the wheel of your car. 

If you get into an accident, you must know what to do. In addition to reporting the accident, calling your insurer, and possibly even booking a rental car to complete your road trip, you’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer if anyone is injured. 

No one wants to consider accidents or injuries when on a road trip. But it’s best to hope for the best while being prepared for the worst. You’ll enjoy the journey and the destination a lot more when you’ve done everything possible to prepare for any possible issues.

Continue Reading

Trending