Colorado police have a teenage boy in their custody after he allegedly stole a vehicle involved in a two-car wreck. Two people were injured in the wreck, including the teen driver. No citations have officially been filed yet, although it is expected that he will likely face charges for drunk driving, motor vehicle theft and vehicular assault.
Authorities claim that the teen boy likely stole the vehicle only minutes before the wreck occurred. Witnesses reported hearing a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, which police believe was the driver speeding away. The teen then struck another vehicle from behind, resulting in significant damage to the vehicles and nearby property.
Both drivers were injured as a result of the collision, although a witness claimed that the teen driver was tackled after trying to flee the scene of the accident. The other driver was also temporarily knocked unconscious in the wreck. Both drivers had to be taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment for their injuries, although the extent of those injuries are not known. It is not yet clear what methods were used to determine the teenager’s blood-alcohol content, although Breathalyzer and blood tests are typically the most common approaches.
Drunk driving charges are a serious matter in Colorado, especially when filed alongside other allegations such as vehicular assault. Even in the absence of a conviction, many defendants lose their driving privileges and suffer employment and educational consequences as a result. Because of this, anyone accused of such crimes would need to prepare a functional defense strategy as soon as possible.
Source: gazette.com, “Teen suspected of stealing car, driving drunk in high-speed crash in downtown Colorado Springs”, Kaitlin Durbin, June 27, 2016
