A 7-year-old autistic boy was killed in Youngsville recently in an accident that is being dubbed as s drunk driving accident. The boy left his home at night when his mother was taking a bath. Neighbors searched for the boy, but he had made it about a mile down the road before he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction as he was walking.
The boy was struck by a 29-year-old driver. The driver didn’t stop at the scene when she struck the boy; however, officers found the suspected hit-and-run driver not too far from the scene.
Sadly, the boy died on the scene of the accident. Witnesses to the accident were able to get the license plate number of the vehicle that stuck the driver. This is what let the police know that the woman they found near the scene was the person who was accused of striking the boy.
The driver who struck him is now facing charges in connection with the accident. Her charges include felony hit-and-run and felony death by motor vehicle. The initial report of the incident noted that she also faced a DWI for the accident. Her bail on the two felony charges was set at $200,000.
Anyone who is facing criminal charges has the right to present a defense against the charges. The justice system in this country is based on a presumption of innocence until guilt is proven. If you are facing criminal charges, carefully consider your options at each step of the process, including what plea you will enter when you are asked to answer the charges being levied against you.
Source: WRAL, “7-year-old hit, killed in Franklin County; driver charged with DWI,” Kathryn Brown, Jan. 17, 2017