Atlanta Police Officer Killed by Drunk Driver

Georgia drivers who operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol not only violate state law but also run the serious risk of causing an accident and injuring or even killing other motorists. Georgia law deems drivers “under the influence” when operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams or higher. Regardless of the amount consumed, alcohol has been proven to slow reaction time and affect depth perception, coordination, and judgment. In fact, a BAC of as little as .02 grams has been shown to impair a person’s ability to drive while increasing their risk of causing an accident. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is dangerous to everyone on the road, regardless of the amount that has been consumed.

Just last month on Tuesday, January 24, a drunk driver made a mistake that ended in tragedy for local Atlanta Police Officer Gail Thomas. The drunk driving accident occurred on the ramp from I-75 southbound at I-85 northbound when Officer Thomas was exiting her car to help another officer. Stone Mountain resident Chasity Jones struck the officer with her vehicle and is being charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and reckless driving. Jones is being held without bond and is scheduled to have her next hearing on February 9. Thomas had been with the Atlanta Police Department for 20 years and left behind a 22-year-old daughter. In memory of Officer Gail Thomas, hundreds of police officers paid tribute in a motorcade from Turner Field to Elizabeth Baptist Church where her funeral was held on January 30.

2009: 10,839 Killed In Alcohol-Related Auto Accidents

Thousands of people are injured each year in auto accidents resulting from the negligence of a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol. Not only could you injure or kill someone else, but you could hurt yourself as well. Not only that, but driving under the influence could cost you financially as well. Even if you think you’re sober enough to drive, think about others on the road and choose one of these safer alternatives:

• Assign a designated driver at the beginning of the night.
• Call a cab or taxi.
• Use public transportation.
• Walk.
• Call someone that you know will be sober (possibly a family member). They may be upset to get a call that late at night, but they’ll be much happier picking you up than if you were to drive under the influence.
• Local ride options – Many local communities have safe ride programs in place that offer sober rides home for free.

Local Marietta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

When people make the decision to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they not only risk hurting themselves and others, but could take the lives of innocent bystanders. The affordable Kennesaw accident lawyers at Jones & Swanson offer aid to victims of Georgia drunk driving crimes across the state, including metro Atlanta areas such as Kennesaw, Acworth, Marietta, Canton, Sandy Springs, Woodstock, and Smyrna. Our Acworth drunk driving accident attorneys understand the complexities of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents and have the best experience to maximize the value of your claim. If you have been injured in a Cobb County car accident by a drunk or otherwise impaired driver, Andrew W. Jones and M. Chase Swanson can help you recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, physical and mental pain and suffering, and physical impairment. Our top personal injury firm can also assist the families of catastrophically injured victims seek to recover for the wrongful death of their loved ones. You deserve to be represented by local Marietta personal injury attorneys with the experience to prosecute your claim appropriately.

Affordable Marietta Personal Injury Attorneys

It is imperative that a trial attorney with experience handling alcohol-related injury claims begin investigating your accident as soon as possible. Oftentimes, the preservation of certain evidence can be key in making a claim for personal injury or wrongful death. Unlike other attorneys, the affordable drunk driving accident attorneys at Jones & Swanson work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we represent our clients without any upfront costs as our fee is simply a percentage of the amount recovered for you. In other words, if we do not recover financial compensation for you, you do not owe any legal fees or costs.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed by a drunk driver in Georgia, contact Marietta drunk driving accident lawyers Andrew W. Jones and M. Chase Swanson immediately for a free consultation and to discuss the ways in which our firm may be able to help you through a difficult time.