There are multiple reports of drivers being pulled over with mind-boggling blood-alcohol levels. While 49 states and Washington, D.C. all have a legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08%, Utah has a much lower level at 0.05%. Beginning at this level, impairment becomes more evident. At 0.06%, there is reduced self-control and judgment as well as impairment of balance, reaction time, and hearing. The effects become much more pronounced. By 0.16%, balance and coordination are significantly impaired. By the time a person reaches 0.25%, they have alcohol poisoning. Loss of consciousness may occur. By 0.40%, a person with this high an alcohol level may stop breathing.
KTLA reports that a 13-year-old boy was struck in a crosswalk by an alleged drunk driver with a BAC of 0.30%.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 23rd just before 8 p.m. in front of a Glendale Park.
According to the Glendale Police Department and Los Angeles County booking records, 63-year-old Christopher Dean Carone was driving south on Verdugo Road in a 2009 Subaru. He was in the left lane when he hit the 13-year-old victim in a marked crosswalk.
A witness said that there were pedestrian lights flashing, indicating that there was a pedestrian in the crosswalk. She also witnessed the Subaru driving by her at 35 to 40 m.p.h.
Dean hit the pedestrian in the crosswalk. The injured boy, whose name was not released because he is a minor, was rushed to the hospital. He was in critical but stable condition.
A preliminary alcohol screening showed Carone’s blood-alcohol to be 0.30%. Carone pulled over at the scene and remained for authorities to arrest him.
He is being held on $100,000 bond.
