Driver Sentenced to 15 Years for Hit-and-Run

A driver who struck and killed a cyclist then fled the scene of the accident received 15 years in prison as part of the terms of a plea agreement, according to recent reports. Enrique Hernandez, 25, ran a stop light at the intersection of Mission Road and Irvington Road. He struck John Akers, 64, who was riding his bicycle to work. Akers died from the injuries sustained in that accident. Police noted that Akers was wearing a helmet and reflective gear and that he was not at fault in the accident. After striking Akers, Hernandez fled the scene, driving more than 20 miles to Ina Road and Canada Boulevard. He was later apprehended and was found to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. His attorney claims that he is now taking responsibility for the accident and is willing to plead guilty and serve his time.

DUI Arrests Continue to Climb in Arizona

Arizona has some of the nation’s strictest DUI laws. As a result, Arizona law enforcement officers find it relatively easy to charge someone with DUI, and the number of people arrested for DUI each year is relatively high. According to the Century Council, in 2011 there were 35,496 people over the age of 18 arrested in Arizona for driving under the influence of alcohol, or nearly 100 per month statewide. Furthermore, another 12,739 were arrested for violations of the liquor law, including those arrests that did not involve motor vehicles. What Arizona’s strict DUI laws seem to have accomplished is to reduce the number of people who are driving while mildly intoxicated. These people may be opting for designated drivers or paid conveyances rather than risk a DUI when leaving a bar, restaurant or their own homes. About 70 percent of the people arrested in Arizona for DUI have a blood alcohol content of more than .15 percent, or at least twice the legal limit. If this is a true statistic, it points to the possibility that most of the drunk drivers on the road are, indeed, very drunk.

What Should I Do If I Am Charged With DUI?

With such compelling statistics available on Arizona drivers, it is unlikely that law enforcement officials or the court system will be willing to look the other way on any DUI charge. Therefore, it is imperative that anyone who is charged with DUI have legal representation. Oswalt Law Group in Phoenix can help you deal with your DUI charges and possibly avoid the penalties associated with a conviction.