Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney | Impaired Driving Crashes

What happens if a drunk driver kills someone? Impaired driving is one of Maryland's highest priority traffic safety issues. If you are involved in an impaired driving accident, you could be charged with a number of different criminal offenses, including but limited to, manslaughter by vehicle in violation of Md. Crim. L. Code Ann. § 2-209, homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in violation of Md. Crim. L. Code Ann. § 2-503, homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol in violation of Md. Crim. L. Code Ann. § 2-504, driving a vehicle on a highway in excess of the posted miles per hours limit, and driving a motor vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of personal and property in violation of Md. Trans. Code Ann. § 21-901.1A. When faced with such high-stakes charges, it is important you enlist an assertive attorney from Portner & Shure to fight for you.

Maryland's definition of an impaired driving crash is at least one of the drivers involved in the crash was reported to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Impairment is determined through the driver condition, blood alcohol content, substance use and contributing factor fields on the crash report.

According to Maryland's 2014 Highway Safety Plan, over the past five years, an average of 8,216 impaired driving crashes has occurred annually on Maryland's roadways. On average, 185 people have lost their lives and 4,352 were injured each year. This loss of life represents approximately one-third of all of Maryland's traffic fatalities. The highest number of impaired driving crashes occurs among male drivers between the ages of 21 and 49. The highest concentration of impaired driving crashes is recorded in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area, which includes Baltimore City, central Maryland, and Washington D.C. 5 jurisdictions--Prince George's, Baltimore, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel counties and Baltimore City-account for more than 60 percent of all impaired driving crashes statewide.

Traffic related prosecutions, particularly DUIs and DUI-fatalities, are among the most complicated cases to handle. The highly experienced attorneys at Portner & Shure can begin working on your vehicular homicide case immediately to ensure your rights are protected. The committed attorneys will work tirelessly to build a strong defense and find weaknesses in the prosecution's case. 

Repeat Impaired Driver Crashes with Retired Montgomery County District Court Judge Who Spared Him in 1998. Who Will Spare Him Now?

Eleven years after the Honorable Edwin Collier spared a repeat offender for driving under the influence for two DUI(s) within three months, he veered into the Judge's lane of travel and struck his vehicle head on.  Judge Collier and his wife, Ellen, were driving in Gaithersburg when the head on collision occurred.  Judge Collier suffered a broken leg and fractured ribs, and his wife, Ellen, suffered a compound leg fracture, fractured hip, fractured ribs and a neck injury.  It was determined that the repeat offender, Rene E. Fernandez who was tested after the accident, had more than two times the legal limit of alcohol in his system.



According to Montgomery County Circuit Court records, Mr. Fernandez was to plead guilty to one count of causing a life threatening injury, while intoxicated.  The remaining charges would be dropped according to a plea agreement.  The sentencing guidelines call for up to two years in prison. Mr. Fernandez is presently awaiting disposition from the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.

Judge Collier and his wife, Ellen were forced to move from their Bethesda home to a retirement community due to diminished mobility caused by Mr. Fernandez.

If you, a family member or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident involving a drunk driver or you need more information on automobile accidents or drunk driving laws, please contact one of our experienced personal injury lawyers or DUI lawyers at Portner & Shure for a free consultation.