The Knoxville woman who allegedly caused a Feb. 14 car accident has admitted to police that she drank bourbon and took Xanax just before the incident. She also told authorities that she uses heroine. The 39-year-old woman was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and vehicular assault.
According to a Tennessee State Trooper's report, the 39-year-old woman's Volkswagen was clocked at 82 mph shortly before she ran a red light on Clinton Highway and turned onto to Edgemoor Road, where she hit a stationary Honda in a turn lane. Authorities had to remove a car door to save one trapped person.
The driver of the struck Honda was taken to University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville for serious bodily injuries. There were two other passengers in the Honda, both of whom were 17 and wearing their seat belts. Neither were seriously injured. The 39-year-old woman was also taken to UT, where the trooper conducted the sobriety tests that indicated she was impaired. Upon being released from the hospital, she was jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton.
In car accidents in which a driver is charged with driving under the influence, the victim with car accident injuries might be able to recover damages with a personal injury lawsuit. Intoxication behind the wheel strongly points to negligence. An attorney might be able to assess evidence in a situation like this to see if a lawsuit has potential to win compensation for medical bills and lost income.