Blaine Woman Dies in Suspected DUI Crash on Mount Baker Highway
An 18-year old Blaine woman died in a suspected DUI crash on the Mount Baker Highway just after midnight on Wednesday, July 4. A report by the State Patrol details that a car driven by 20-year-old Christopher A. Lundquistgust of Custer hit a guardrail near Marshall Hill Road east of Deming, causing it to spin around and hit another guardrail before rolling over. State troopers report that Lundquistgust was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash and charges were expected.
National Drunk Driving Statistics
- In 2016, 891 people were killed in drinking and driving car accidents across the U.S.; representing 26 percent of all traffic fatalities over the year.
- In 2015, nine percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes during the day were drunk, versus 32 percent at night.
- Every 24 hours in the United States, another 28 people die from being involved in a drunk driving car crash. This translates to one person every 53 minutes.
How can WA State reduce drunk driving car accidents? WA State MADD Rating
WA State has a MADD rating of 3.5/5. The state earned a point for each of the following categories: “No Refusal,” “License Revocation” and “All-Offender Ignition Interlock” laws. It earned a half point for its current child endangerment law.
In 2009 Washington State passed an all-offender ignition interlock law. Since then drunk driving deaths in the state have dropped 19 percent, although the state still suffered 161 deaths from drunk driving car accidents in 2016. That change in law improved the state’s MADD rating from 2.5/5 to 3.5 out of 5. To earn the remaining 1.5 points, the state would need to legalize sobriety checkpoints and ensure that they are implemented monthly (one point) and enact a law making child endangerment a felony (1/2 point). MADD also recommends that WA State begin advertising the all-offender ignition interlock law in twice yearly federally funded Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
We represent victims of DUI Crashes
Tario & Associates, P.S. has more than 35 years of experience representing victims of drunk driving car accidents. When you have been seriously injured through no fault of your own you can benefit from a legal advocate who will fight for the settlement you deserve. Free consultations and no up-front fees make hiring a car accident lawyer the right choice for many victims.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an injury as a result of an accident or error caused by the negligence of another, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
