Manslaughter Charges From Fatal Car Crashes
The police have charged Erles Ismael Aguilera of Stamford with manslaughter after a high-speed crash left 19-year-old Oscar Valdovinos dead. The crash occurred on November 27, 2022, on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. 25-year-old Aguilera was arrested and charged with DUI, reckless driving, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, and first-degree manslaughter.
Around 8:05 am on November 27, Norwalk police received a 911 call about a crash near Lowe Street. The police, medics, and firefighters responded to the accident scene and found a single-car crash involving an injured driver and three passengers. The passengers were rushed to a nearby hospital. One of them, Valdovinos, was pronounced dead at the accident scene.
Investigators interviewed all victims and eyewitnesses, gathered evidence, and obtained search warrants. The investigation led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Aguilera. His bond was set at $750,000.
How Alcohol Affects A Driver’s Ability To Drive Safely
Alcohol can impact the body in various ways. Besides taking a toll on a person’s overall health over time, the immediate effects of alcohol can also make it riskier to engage in any task requiring attention, coordination, and skill. When driving under the influence of alcohol, the driver’s coordination skills are impeded, their sensory perception is decreased, and their higher brain functions and decision-making abilities all suffer, causing these dangerous effects:
- Reduced Concentration Skills – Driving requires much more focus and concentration than most people think. When a driver’s ability to concentrate on multiple tasks required during driving is impeded, like staying in the proper lane, steering the vehicle, avoiding other vehicles, and moving at a safe speed, the risk of getting into a crash increases significantly.
- Altered Judgment – Alcohol can easily make good decision-making, planning ahead, and clear thinking more difficult, which are critical skills required for driving. It can also increase risk-taking tendencies.
- Impaired Vision – Alcohol is a muscle relaxant, which also relaxes the muscles controlling the eyes, resulting in slower visual recognition, reaction time, and blurred vision. Drunk drivers will have difficulty seeing anything not directly in their vision, including other vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, traffic lights, and other obstacles or hazards on the road.
- Reduced Coordination – Alcohol can also cause changes in some parts of the brain responsible for controlling motor skills, slowing down the driver’s reflexes, and reducing the ability to steer safely or use the brake and gas pedals appropriately.
As these negative effects take over the drunk driver’s mind and body, the driver might not notice dangerous situations on time, be able to safely control their vehicle, or react to a hazard appropriately. This can result in a serious crash and cause life-changing injuries or deaths.
Get Legal Advice From An Experienced CT Roadside Lawyer Now
Anyone considering filing a personal injury or wrongful death suit after getting hurt in a drunk driving crash should immediately seek guidance from an attorney. These claims can be complex, and an experienced attorney can explain the laws applying to the claimant’s specific situation. Contact Berman & Russo and arrange a free case review with a CT roadside lawyer by calling 860-644-1548 or contacting them online.
