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Fatal Wrong-Way Accidents Surge in 2016

Posted On: May 6th, 2016 by Bradley J. Groene

So far this year Ohio is experiencing a spike in deadly auto accidents where a vehicle was going the wrong direction on the interstate. Just such an event happened in early April in Hamilton County when an SUV heading in the wrong direction in the northbound lanes on Interstate 75 struck two vehicles in Evendale. The driver of the SUV was killed, as was a married couple in one of the vehicles that was hit.

Unfortunately, the accident in Evendale was not an isolated incident for Ohio in 2016. The Ohio Department of Transportation keeps records for crashes where someone is driving intentionally in the opposite direction on the highway. In 2014 there were 47 instances of drivers intentionally heading in the wrong direction on the highway, leading to seven deaths. In 2015, there was 63 such crashes that lead to eight deaths. As of early April in 2016 there had been 15 wrong-way accidents that have already caused 16 fatalities- meaning more people have already died from these accidents than had been killed in 2014 and 2015 combined.

Most of the time alcohol, drugs or sleep deprivation is the cause of an accident where a vehicle is driving the wrong way on the interstate. The impaired conditions can lead to a lack of concentration and judgment that causes a driver to enter the highway in the wrong direction or turn around in the middle of the interstate. But there has also been an increase in the number of incidents where a driver purposely drives in the wrong direction on the interstate.

One such incident happened in Cleveland when a driver drove the wrong direction on Interstate 480 in an apparent suicide attempt, striking another vehicle and killing the vehicle’s driver. The driver survived, but is now facing charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and aggravated vehicular homicide.

How an Ohio Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Accidents that happen when a driver is headed in the wrong direction on the interstate are the most damaging accidents imaginable. The speed involved and the force at impact means there is an extremely high likelihood of serious injury or death. And if you were the driver intentionally headed in the wrong direction, the charges you face could change your life forever.

Attorney Brad Groene with the firm Luftman, Heck & Associates is a Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer who has experience representing clients facing serious charges resulting from vehicle accidents. Brad will work hard to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. Contact Luftman, Heck & Associates to get the help that you need. Call (513) 338-1890 to set up a free and confidential consultation.



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