Rhode Island men arrested after car crash

Young adults and teenagers can sometimes make choices that involve alcohol as they seek to have fun. Driving while intoxicated in Rhode Island can result in a dangerous car crash with serious consequences for the liable party. Police recently arrested two young men associated with a serious car crash who face multiple charges for their potential crimes.

The accident took place when the young men and two teen girls were traveling in a car down the highway. As the driver and other man in the front seat began to argue, the passenger purportedly grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it. This caused the car to spin across the highway and begin to roll.

A teen passenger in the backseat was severely hurt in the crash and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition. The other girl was hurt as well, but did not have her life threatened by injury. Authorities questioned the men’s sobriety and both the driver and the front seat passenger were given blood tests at a hospital following the accident to test their possible blood alcohol levels.

The driver was charged with a DUI that resulted in bodily harm and the other young man was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and driving while intoxicated. The two men were both charged with providing alcohol to a minor and aiding in the delinquency of a minor. They could conceivably face civil liability as well, since a Rhode Island parent or guardian may choose to pursue personal injury claims against a person believed responsible for a car crash on behalf of an injured teen.

Source: wpri.com, "Teen injured in crash; driver & passenger charged with DUI", Shaun Towne, Aug. 7, 2014