Underage Drinker May Never Leave Jail After DUI Crash
A hangover might not kill you, but if you drink and drive you’re inviting death into your car. Driving under the influence of alcohol can turn into a nightmare that might make you wish that it had. On the night of June 29th, Nicole Baukus, 23, had 17 shots and four beers, This placed her blood alcohol level (BAC) at more than three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent. “If she wasn’t dead the next morning, her hangover would make her wish she was,” said Bree Hess, who was a patron Tuesday at the Junction Bar and Grill. Unfortunately, it was other people who died as a result of Baukus’ actions. Recently released video surveillance video shows Baukus’ car headed the wrong way down the North Freeway, near Conroe. Concerned if not frantic drivers could be heard on newly released 911 calls. Law enforcement, however, could not respond to the call quickly enough to prevent a tragedy from happening. The head-on crash killed 18-year-old Travis Saunders and 19-year-old Nicole Adams and also left 21-year-old David Porras critically injured. They were all in the same car which had been heading the right way at the wrong time. Baukus is now on trial and faces two counts of vehicular manslaughter. A big question is why no one kept a closer eye on her. “When you’ve had 17 shots and four beers or five beers, she had no idea what she was doing,” said Nicholas Williams, a patron of Houston’s Midtown neighborhood. “You’re not supposed to be making the decision,” Hess said. “If you’re out with friends, they’re supposed to be doing it for you.” If convicted, Baukus could spend the next 60 years in prison. That may mean that she could reasonably expect to spend the rest of her life behind bars for something she did before she was of legal age to consume alcohol. The State of Texas has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking. Teen drivers have less experience with both driving and alcohol so they often will misjudge their ability to drive after consuming alcohol. Statistics have clearly shown that teen drivers are also more inclined to drive over the speed limit than more experienced drivers The element of speed added to a teen driver’s inexperience on the road and use of alcohol can be a dangerous and sometimes deadly combination. After the accident, this can be especially troublesome for the parents of young drivers who have been involved in accidents, when the teen has been DUI. The parents face the prospect of being dropped from insurance coverage entirely for allowing them to drive and could also face charges of negligence. If you have experienced a loss or damage or have been injured due to a drunk driver, give our offices a call. Our attorneys have years of experience in DUI cases and in recovering restitution for damages for our clients You deserve not only compensation for your injuries, but also to see that justice is served. If the case involves a drunk driver, or if your teen has been involved in a serious accident, our attorneys have extensive experience in the Texas courts and can help you sort through the overwhelming amounts of insurance and legal hurdles.. We will take the time and discuss with you at length the details of your specific case and we will help you decide your best course of action. We are here to help. Your initial consultation is confidential, free and without obligation.