Wrong-Way Driver Crashes in Tempe DUI Accident

A driver who is accused of being under the influence of alcohol crashed her car in Tempe. Arresting officers measured her BAC at .15 percent, according to recent reports. Cheyenne Wheeler, 21, was arrested after officers received several calls that a dark sedan was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Loop 101 near McDowell Road. The car exited at Broadway Road before running off the road and crashing at Price Road and Apache Boulevard. Wheeler was given preliminary tests and arrested on suspicion of DUI. There were no injuries reported as a result of the crash.

Arizona’s Tough DUI Laws

Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. In Arizona, drivers can be charged with three different types of DUIs:

• Impaired to the slightest degree/regular DUI. If a driver has any alcohol at all in his or her system, the individual may be charged with DUI, even if the driver’s BAC is under the legal limit of .08 percent. This is especially true if the driver causes an accident, is speeding or commits some other infraction while under the influence of alcohol. In order to make a per se charge of DUI, the BAC must be .08 percent or greater. This means that the prosecutor does not have to “prove” that the individual was impaired; it is assumed that anyone with that level of alcohol in the blood stream will be impaired to some degree.
• Extreme DUI. An extreme DUI is one in which the driver has a measured blood alcohol content of .15 percent or higher. This type of DUI carries more serious penalties than a regular DUI.
• Super Extreme DUI. Arizona also recognizes a third type of DUI known as a “super extreme” DUI. If a driver has a measured blood alcohol content of .20 percent or higher, he or she may be charged with super extreme DUI which carries the strictest penalties of any DUI charge.

What If I Am Charged With DUI?

If you have been charged with DUI, it is important for you to have strong legal representation in order to protect your rights. Contact the criminal defense attorneys at the Oswalt Law Group in Phoenix for help. We will represent you in any proceedings and ensure that your rights are protected and that you have the best possible opportunity to mitigate the damage of a DUI charge.