When drivers get behind the wheel while intoxicated, the outcome can be deadly. This was the case in a recent case that stemmed from a drunk driving accident that took the lives of two people and seriously injured a third person in June 2012 in Montgomery County, Texas. On Aug. 2, the 24-year-old woman who was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault was sentenced in to 38 years in prison, according to an article in The Courier. The driver had been found to be driving with a blood alcohol level that was more than three times the legal limit.

The woman was initially fighting her charges in trial, but after three days of testimony being presented to the jury, she pleaded guilty to her charges. According to reporting from The Courier and Fox 26, the woman was caught on surveillance camera consuming 17 shots and four beers at a bar in Montgomery County over a period of five hours before getting in her F-150 pickup truck and driving the wrong way on Interstate 45. Her truck then crashed head-on into a car that was carrying three people.

As a result of the crash, the car’s 19-year-old driver and its 18-year-old passenger died at the scene of the accident. The other passenger, who is in his early 20s, survived but suffered from serious injuries that required multiple surgeries. Because of the drunk driving accident, the survivor suffered from brain trauma, a fractured spine and severe survivor’s guilt. Furthermore, some of his teeth were knocked out and bone was ripped out from his upper mouth.

According to the news stories, the driver was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.30, which is more than three times the legal limit of 0.08. Furthermore, a glass drug pipe was found in her truck and it was later discovered that she had marijuana in her system at the time of the deadly car accident.

In addition to the intoxicated driver receiving a prison sentence, the Montgomery County bar where the drinks were consumed was also held accountable. The bar has been ordered to pay a $1 million settlement to the surviving accident victim and to the family members of the two deceased victims, according to Fox 26.

One person’s poor decision can end up drastically altering the lives of many other individuals. Sadly, there are many people who end up suffering life-changing injuries or the loss of loved ones because the negligence of others, whether through drunk driving accidents or other types of accidents. At Mukerji Law Firm, we represent individuals who suffer losses from all types of accidents. Our Houston personal injury lawyers help these individuals file personal injury claims and lawsuits so they can recover the highest level of compensation for their accidents. Contact us so we can help you with your case!

*Image courtesy of yourhoustonnews.com