Charlotte police charged a driver with DWI after a crash that killed a passenger. A Charlotte drunk driving accident lawyer sees this pattern often, since impaired crashes turn an ordinary evening into a permanent loss. According to CMPD, the wreck happened at Statesville Road and West W.T. Harris Boulevard just before 9:30 p.m. on August 17. Officers say 36-year-old Jeffrey Almond crashed a pickup truck into a Nissan Rogue. Investigators believe Almond was impaired at the time. A passenger in the Nissan, 35-year-old Briana Watkins, died four days later from her injuries. Almond now faces charges of DWI and felony serious injury.
Why a Charlotte Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Handles These Cases Differently
Criminal charges against a drunk driver bring some accountability, but they rarely cover a family’s medical bills or funeral costs. Instead, the civil claim runs on a separate track with its own evidence and its own deadline. A Charlotte drunk driving accident lawyer builds that civil case using police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements. Because North Carolina treats DWI violations as negligence per se, proof of impairment can strengthen a family’s claim. Additionally, victims may hold a bar or restaurant liable under the state’s dram shop laws. That liability applies if a business over-served a visibly intoxicated driver. Families facing a loss like this deserve a legal team focused entirely on their recovery.
Shane Smith Law offers its sincere condolences to Briana Watkins’ family. If a drunk driver hurt you or someone you love in Charlotte, contact our Charlotte drunk driving accident lawyer team today.
