The driver who crashed into a group of people in Times Square has a history of drunk driving, according to official reports. The New York driver apparently had a past that was troubled with more than just a DWI, indicating that perhaps he was not getting the help he needed before he caused the fatal crash. The defendant has been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the incident. An 18-year-old woman died when the defendant allegedly plowed into a group of visitors in the Big Apple.
Friends say that the man’s vehicle was outfitted with a mandated speed limiter after he was previously arrested for drunk driving in April 2015. The man’s license was suspended for three months, and he was subject to a fine of $500 in the case. The man had previous drunk driving arrests in New York, and he also faced a DWI charge while serving in the U.S. military.
Authorities say that the man’s history included driving while intoxicated, but he began to express more concern about controversial topics. Those friends say that the state installed monitoring equipment in the vehicle to prevent further accidents. It is not clear whether that equipment was officially confirmed in the defendant’s vehicle. However, those convicted of drunk driving may be subject to ignition interlocks to prevent them from driving drunk in the future.
Multiple offenses may lead to more serious consequences in drunk driving cases. Drivers like this man face more extreme consequences because they accumulate drunk driving charges that escalate in severity. Defendants like this man can benefit from the assistance of criminal defense attorneys, who can help them identify their legal options and define their rights throughout the drunk driving courtroom process.
Source: The New York Times, “Before Driver’s Times Square Crash, a Descent into Paranoia and Harassment,” Benjamin Mueller and William K. Rashbaum, May 19, 2017
