A woman who was DWI plowed into a police cruiser and seriously injured the officer inside early Friday morning. Ironically, she was just only a few blocks away from the national headquarters of one of my favorite groups, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
The Irving police cruiser was blocking westbound traffic at Texas 114 near North O’Connor Road to prevent motorists from entering a road construction zone. But a very drunk Nicole Arreola somehow failed to notice the flashing red and blue squad car lights and the large bright orange alert barrels, an indication as to how impaired the 36-year old Grapevine woman really was.
The drunk driver plowed into the back of the cruiser, which subsequently slammed into a light pole. The officer was treated at Parkland Hospital for a concussion, an injured shoulder and broken ribs.
Arreola showed the telltale signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol on her breath, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. She at first claimed she wasn’t driving, but finally admitted she had polished off five shots before climbing behind the wheel. The woman blew a .144 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC), almost twice the legal limit
The drunk driver was charged with intoxication assault, which carries a two to 20-year prison sentence. I hope she gets nailed and that publicity from this crime and her sentence discourage people from driving while intoxicated.
Time to Walk Like MADD
Berenson Injury Law is again the Presenting Sponsor of the annual Fort Worth Walk Like MADD event. We participate every year in this truly inspirational event that brings the community together to show our support for victims of drunk driving and our desire to end DWI accidents.
Walk Like MADD takes place in 60 cities across the nation and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to advocate for effective drunk driving laws, support preventative educational programs for teens and help DWI victims and their families.
Come join us on October 24th on Panther Island to Walk Like MADD from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. You can form a team — which might include your family, your coworkers, your neighbors or your school friends — and share in this positive action for change, while raising funds for MADD. Also, you can choose to walk the course. If you cannot attend the event, consider joining as a virtual walker or donating to a team. Register here for the Fort Worth Walk Like MADD.
Please let us know if you do sign up for Walk Like MADD. My law firm will match your entrance fee in a donation to MADD. Either call my law firm or send me an email here.