Idaho Law Blog
41 year-old Angel Martinez Pedraza died during the early morning hours on Thursday, September 29, 2016. The accident occurred on Yale Road in Cassia County and is currently under investigation.
The Magic Valley News reports the driver of a late model SUV left the roadway, over corrected and rolled the SUV. Martinez Pedraza, who was a passenger in the SUV, was not wearing a seat belt and died when he was thrown out of the SUV after it rolled. News reports indicate that the driver and occupant left a party at a relative’s house on Yale Road and crashed 10 minutes later. Charges related to this crash are pending.
The Office of Highway Safety, ITD reported 1,367 impaired driving crashes in 2015 out of which 87 were fatalities. Impaired driving is defined under Idaho law at I.C. §18-8004. Only 25% of the passengers involved in impaired driving crashes were wearing a seatbelt. Facts and figures gathered by ITD indicate that impaired driving cost Idahoans over $1 billion in 2015.
The Office of Highway Safety launches campaigns throughout the year to reach out to the public and raise awareness of impaired driving. Its goal is to eliminate deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from crashes on Idaho roadways. Programs are targeted to address and prevent risky driving behaviors. The Impaired Driving awareness campaign runs in November, December – January, March and August – September, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, to coincide with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaigns and major holidays when social gatherings increase.
The NHTSA reminds people that if you have been drinking, don’t drive. Have a back-up plan in place before heading out to any gathering or event which includes alcohol.
If you have been injured by a drunk or impaired driver, get in touch with the personal injury team at Racine Olson at 208-232-6101 to discuss your case. Drive sober and always buckle up!
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