The Boston Globe is reporting that the medical condition of Bethany Pfalzgraf, the Boston College senior who was seriously injured in a Massachusetts pedestrian accident on campus early Sunday and has improved. The 21-year-old woman was allegedly struck by Benjamin Knott, an 18-year-old driver, who is aaccused of fleeing the crash site and driving drunk.
Knott is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, drunken driving, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and causing bodily injury. He failed two Breathalyzer tests. His BAC was .20 and .18. In Massachusetts, the legal driving limit for motorists under age 21 is .02. For adults, the legal BAC while driving is 0.08. Prior to the Boston pedestrian accident, Knott had been visiting friends on campus.
At his arraignment in Brighton District Court, the teen driver pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Boston Drunk Driving Accidents
If you or your loved one was injured by a drunk driver, you should speak with an experienced Boston injury lawyer right away. Driving while drunk is dangerous for anyone who happens to have the bad luck of getting involved in a Massachusetts auto accident with a drunk driver.
Drunk drivers have impaired senses and reflexes, which dramatically increases their chances of being involved in a motor vehicle crash. Yet there are many people who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Yesterday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske launched the “Over the Limit. Under Arrest” campaign, which is geared toward cracking down on impaired driving. Federal and state enforcement agencies will take part in these efforts throughout the holiday season. While there was an overall decline in the number of drunk driving deaths that occurred last year, there are still many people dying from this senseless and negligent act.
Teenager charged with DUI after BC student is hit, Boston Globe, December 8, 2009
Boston College student hit by alleged drunk driver, My Fox Boston, December 8, 2009
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Intensive Holiday Drunk & Impaired Driving Crackdown & Advertising Blitz, NHTSA, December 7, 2009
Related Web Resource:
Fatalities and Fatality Rates in Alcohol- Impaired-Driving Crashes by State, 2007-2008, NHTSA (PDF)