Tennessee Trucker Pleads Guilty to DUI and Other Violations

Driving any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a dangerous thing to do.  However, the dangers increase when an intoxicated driver gets behind the wheel of a large commercial vehicle. In July of 2012, an intoxicated truck driver from Tennessee struck and killed the driver of a tow truck on I-75 in Kentucky. Specifically, the tow truck driver, Howard White, had pulled his wrecker into the breakdown lane so that he could check on his load. As White stood on the side of the road, another driver, Austin Meredith, struck him with his box truck, killing him instantly. Two passengers who were inside White’s tow truck were unharmed.

Initially, Meredith faced charges of murder, failure to maintain a log book, not having a DOT number, not having a medical certificate, DUI, not having insurance, and two counts of wanton endangerment. He entered guilty pleas to the offenses of second degree manslaughter and first offense DUI. Meredith’s guilty pleas significantly reduced the time that he will have to serve. He will serve the maximum term of ten years for the manslaughter charge, and a concurrent sentence of forty eight hours for the DUI. If a jury had found Meredith guilty of murder, his prison sentence could have been anywhere from twenty to fifty years, or for life.

The work of a truck driver is not easy. They spend long hours on the road, and they are constantly under pressure to deliver cargo as quickly as possible. Sometimes, truckers become mentally and physically exhausted before they are done with work for the day. Even though driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal everywhere in America, it is not unusual for truckers to use drugs and alcohol on the job in attempts to stay awake, get more work done faster, or cope with stress.

In 2012, the percentage of truck drivers who are involved in fatal accidents while operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol was two percent.  The percentage of passenger vehicle operators who were involved in fatal accidents while driving under the influence of alcohol was twenty three percent. While it may appear from the numbers that fewer truckers drive under the influence than other types of drivers do, it is important to remember that these numbers only represent crashes resulting in fatalities, and also only represent crashes involving alcohol.

Drug and alcohol abuse is a big problem within the trucking industry. Despite drug testing by employers and the possibility of penalties and fines if they are caught operating under the influence, some truck drivers continue to use drugs and alcohol while on the job. As long as there are truckers out on the road who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there is a danger that these drivers will cause accidents. When an accident occurs which involves a tractor trailer, there is an increased likelihood that severe injuries and fatalities will result, as compared with crashes involving only smaller vehicles.

If you or someone that you love has been injured or killed in an accident involving a tractor trailer or other commercial vehicle, it is important that you speak with an attorney right away. The experienced Tennessee truck accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC would like to learn more about your case. When we speak with you about the accident, we can answer any questions that you may have, explain your options, and help you decide how to proceed. To learn more, call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case.  At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.

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