Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
Police have charged Lisa Leavitt with motor vehicle homicide while intoxicated and negligent driving in the Haverhill pedestrian accident that claimed the life of Karen LaPierre early Sunday morning. At the time, LaPierre, 63, was loading her car with doughnuts she had picked up to bring to church for morning service.
She died after she was struck from behind by Leavitt’s auto. Authorities say that while LaPierre was pinned between the two vehicles she was able to stay alive, but once the two cars were separated she died almost immediately.
Leavitt, 37, reportedly had a BAC of .18%, which is two times over the legal driving limit, after the crash. She failed a Breathalyzer test twice.
Leavitt, who admitted to police that she fatally struck LaPierre, has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. Her lawyer says that she was taking medication for seasonal depression. She also was in the process of getting more help for her condition.
Leavitt’s bail has been set at $50,000 cash. A judge said that if she is released she will have to wear a GPS bracelet and a home device would have to be installed so the authorities will be able to tell whether she’s consumed any alcohol.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, although there was a decline in the number of US alcohol-impaired-driving deaths-10,228 fatalities in 2010, down from 10,759 deaths in 2009-in Massachusetts, there was a slight increase in drunk driving-related fatalities with 115 alcohol-impaired-driving deaths in 2010, which is slightly up from the 106 deaths in 2009. During both years alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities made up more than 30% of Massachusetts traffic deaths.
Our Boston injury lawyers represent victims and their families involved in Massachusetts drunk driving accidents. Although it’s never easy for anyone, including the drunk driver, to cope with the consequences, it is important that the injured person or his/her family is able to recover compensation from all negligent parties.
Hopefully, the drunk driving crackdown planned by local, state, and federal officials will help keep the number of Boston traffic accidents to a minimum this holiday season. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the government’s nationwide efforts, called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” will involve “invisible” law enforcement officers who will watch people that are drunk and then apprehend them when they try to drive.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Crackdown on Drunk Driving, NHTSA, December 13, 2011
Drunk driver kills woman heading to church, according to police, Boston Herald/AP, December 18, 2011
More Blog Posts:
NHTSA Reports 314 Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths in 2010, Boston Injury Lawyers Blog, December 9, 2011
NTSB Calling for Total Cell Phone Ban on All US Roads and Highways, Boston Injury Lawyers Blog, December 15, 2011
Peabody Police Hit as a Pedestrian, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, December 12, 2011
Contact Altman & Altman, LLP and ask to speak with a Haverhill personal injury lawyer.
