In Georgia, a DUI offense is a serious matter and can involve fines of up to $1,000, other collateral expenses, up to one year in prison, and other penalties including possible jail time and revocation of your Georgia driver’s license. If a person happens to injure someone while committing a DUI, the penalties can be even more severe. It may result in a charge called serious injury by vehicle. The penalties for this felony charge are a minimum of one-year imprisonment and a maximum of 15 years. Prior DUI convictions and high blood-alcohol content may intensify these penalties. The AJC reports on a deputy recovering from injuries sustained when he was hit by a DUI driver.
Rod Reeves, a Forsyth County Deputy, was hospitalized on November 18 after an alleged DUI driver struck his marked car on GA 400 near Majors Road.
The driver, 27-year-old Aaron Riley Russel, was allegedly driving drunk at the time of the accident.
Reeves had been with the department for only six months prior to the accident. He has been unable to return to work since the accident.
Reeves recalls seeing an indication on his dashboard radar of an approaching vehicle, but does not recall the accident. The next thing he remembered was being in the ambulance and later, the hospital.
Reeves fractured four ribs and a hip. He had to have metal rods implanted and another surgery is scheduled for Friday.
At the time of the accident, Russel was driving on a suspended license and is considered a habitual offender. He is also facing charges of serious injury by vehicle.
Have you been injured in an accident? You may have a case. Let the attorneys at the law offices of John Foy & Associates fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call today.