It may go without saying, but driving while intoxicated is 100% preventable. With rideshare applications like Uber and Lyft as well as taxi services, combined with venues that offer free non-alcoholic drinks and appetizers to designated drivers, there is really no excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking.
This is especially true among teenagers, for whom drinking in itself is against the law. California has a zero-tolerance law regarding underage DUI, with consequences beginning at 0.1% for those under 21. Teens still make bad decisions as a part of the process of growing into adults.
KSBW reports on a Carmel teen whose friend drove drunk, leading to her being critically injured.
Last Thursday at about 7:40 p.m., Carmel Valley High graduate Margot McNally was driving her Nissan Pathfinder along Carmel Valley Road. She crossed over the double yellow line, directly into the path of a GMC Suburban.
The driver of the Suburban was a 69-year-old woman.
A passing off-duty firefighter rescued the woman from her vehicle. The engine compartment of the Suburban had caught fire and the driver of the vehicle suffered from two broken legs.
McNally’s passenger was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was unconscious as paramedics rushed her to a trauma center.
Authorities believe that McNally was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. The alcohol, combined with speed, caused McNally to fail to negotiate a curve successfully. This led to her crossing the yellow line and causing the accident.
McNally, who was wearing a seatbelt, suffered from moderate injuries in the accident. She was arrested on suspicion of DUI and causing great bodily injury.
