A man later identified as Joseph Whitaker, 49, has been charged with drunk driving after he crashed into another vehicle in northwest Oklahoma City on February 3, causing injuries both to himself and to a woman inside the other vehicle. If Whitaker is convicted of the DUI offense, which resulted in great bodily harm to …
A man later identified as Joseph Whitaker, 49, has been charged with drunk driving after he crashed into another vehicle in northwest Oklahoma City on February 3, causing injuries both to himself and to a woman inside the other vehicle. If Whitaker is convicted of the DUI offense, which resulted in great bodily harm to another person, he could face significant jail time, hefty fines, driver’s license suspension, mandatory use of an ignition interlock device, and more. If you have been charged with drunk driving in Oklahoma, the potential success of your case lies in the expertise of your legal representation. With the help of our knowledgeable DUI defense lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center, you can defend yourself against the DUI charges filed against you and ensure that your legal rights are protected throughout the process.
DUI Accidents With Great Bodily Harm
According to the police who responded to the accident, the crash took place around 5:45 p.m. on February 3, at Hefner Road and Council Road. Police reported that Whitaker was sitting in his vehicle when officers arrived and that they could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Whitaker. Emergency crews had to use the Jaws of Life to extract Whitaker from his car, and the woman in the vehicle that was struck by Whitaker was also stuck in her car. She was transported to the hospital in an unknown condition, according to the accident report, and Whitaker suffered internal bleeding that required surgery.
Possible Drunk Driving Penalties
Following the alleged DUI accident, Whitaker was placed under arrest and charged with a felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol with great bodily injury, speeding, DUI, ignoring a signal light and reckless driving. In Oklahoma, drunk driving is considered a serious offense that is punished harshly by the authorities, particularly when a DUI offense causes great bodily harm to another person. Great bodily injury describes an injury that creates a significant risk of death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or causes the protracted loss of bodily member or function. In cases where great bodily injury results from drunk driving, the penalty is one to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Contact Our DUI Defense Attorneys for Help
Not only can a felony DUI conviction have immediate negative consequences, but having this offense on your criminal record can adversely affect your personal and professional life in the future as well. Every time you apply for a new job, you will have to inform your employer that you have been convicted of a felony criminal offense, and the conviction will show up on background checks as well. If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Oklahoma City, or elsewhere in Oklahoma, don’t leave your future up to chance. Consult our reputable DUI defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your possible defense options and work to have your charged reduced or even dismissed altogether.