Fatal Concord, North Carolina Car Accident Was Caused by Speeding Drunken Driver, Says Highway Patrol
According to the authorities, the driver who allegedly caused the Cabarrus County car accident on Saturday that claimed the lives of two people was driving drunk and speeding. Oscar Lopez Quiterio is charged with reckless driving, driving while impaired, and driving without a license. He also may be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The single-car Concord traffic crash occurred at approximately 6:45 pm. The NC Highway Patrol says that Quiterio was driving at about 20 miles over the legal speed limit when the 1997 Honda sedan went off Zion Church Road. His vehicle struck a tree, overturned, and struck another tree. The impact of the collision caused the auto to split in half.
Lopez was the only one in the vehicle using a seat belt at the time. Meantime, the two Kannapolis residents who were riding with him, 33-year-old Otilio Chegues and 28-year-old Jorge Gonzales, have died from their injuries.
When done separately, driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding are two of the most common causes of traffic crashes. Speeding while simultaneously driving drunk can dramatically increase the chances of a North Carolina car crash occurring.
Motorists who are under the influence have a hard enough staying alert, paying attention, and responding quickly to an emergency situation without having to contend with the perils that come with speeding, which can make it hard for even a sober driver to quickly stop his/her vehicle. Also, the force of impact during a collision when speeding is involved tends to be a lot more devastating—especially for those in the vehicle that is struck.
Even if your loved one was injured in a single-car crash, there may still be parties who should be held liable for your Cabarrus, County North Carolina personal injuries or your loved one’s death.
Drinking and speeding blamed in wreck that kills 2 passengers near Concord, Charlotte Observer, November 7, 2010
2 Killed In Concord Crash, WSOCTV, November 7, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Analysis of Speeding-Related Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes, NHTSA (PDF)
North Carolina Drunk Driving Statistics, Alcohol Alert
