On Monday a Georgia woman was accused of DUI after hitting a child with her SUV. Gloria Blevins hit a 5-year-old girl in a Coweta County subdivision and did not stop after the incident, but instead continued driving. The victim, “Lulu” Pedrick was struck shortly after getting off the bus while returning home from school. Pedrick survived the collision but suffered injuries that required her to be airlifted to the hospital. It was soon discovered that Blevins was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she hit the young victim. She was arrested shortly after and is currently being detained at the Coweta County Jail.
According to a report released by Channel 2 Action News, Pedrick was crossing the street after stepping off the bus that returned her home from school. As she was crossing, Blevins hit the child with the passenger side bumper of her vehicle after changing lanes into oncoming traffic in an attempt to pass the stopped bus. Police gathered sufficient evidence to track down Blevins’ vehicle in the Avery Park Subdivision, the same neighborhood in which the accident occurred. Blevins was arrested at her home within hours after being questioned by police.
In the State of Georgia, a person is considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if they have a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. As stated on the Georgia DMV’s website, DUI convictions include, but are not limited, to: license suspension, DUI school, increased car insurance rates, fines and jail time. Some DUI convictions also require the violator to participate in a DUI alcohol or drug risk prevention program, even if the individual in question has no previous record of driving under the influence.
The CDC conducted a study to demonstrate the reality of drinking and driving incidents in the State of Georgia. Between 2003 and 2012, there were 3,699 victims that suffered fatalities as a result of an encounter with a drunk driver. Between the ages of 21 and 34, there were 5.8 deaths per 100,000 people due to drunk drivers. Surprisingly, only 1.4% of people admitted to driving after having too much to drink, lower than the national average of 1.9%. The State of Georgia institutes several methods to catch drunk drivers or prevent those with a previous DUI conviction from offending again. Sobriety check points on state roads, a free app called DriveSoberGA that will dial Tow-To-Go, and ignition interlocks that require individuals to measure their BAC before starting the car being just a few examples. To raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving in teens and adolescents, some schools offer instructional programs or promote mass media campaigns to educate young drivers on the importance of driving sober.
5-year-old Pedrick sustained injuries to her eye and leg. After being airlifted to the hospital, she had to undergo surgery on her leg that required the insertion of two metal plates to repair a fracture. In the same report by Channel 2 Action News, the victim’s mother stated that Pedrick also suffered a fracture to her orbital bone and if it doesn’t heal properly, she might not have full use of her eye. Blevins was charged with 4 offenses including DUI, fleeing the scene of an accident and not stopping for a school bus.
We, as drivers, can combat the epidemic of driving under the influence. To protect our own lives and the lives of others, it’s important to remember that driving under the influence is never acceptable and can result in serious injuries and consequences, even death. If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury due to a drunk driving accident, contact one of our attorneys at Schneider Hammers today. We are dedicated to holding negligent drivers responsible and getting you the compensation you deserve for your damages.
