New information has revealed that an erratic driver who caused a fatal automotive accident may have been under the influence of prescribed medication.
On Sept. 1, a 70-year-old woman was driving west on Highland Pike when a 48-year-old Edgewood resident crossed lanes and struck her vehicle just before 3 p.m. Two passengers in the female drivers vehicle were killed in the wreck as well.
According to police, the 48-year-old who caused the crash had also been involved in two other accidents earlier this year. The first, on April 1, was caused when he rear-ended another vehicle stopped at a red light. No one was injured in the crash.
On Aug. 9, the driver was involved in a single-vehicle wreck when he lost control of his car and crashed into guy wires on a utility pole. Police found him unconscious, but breathing, around 8:40 a.m. According to the police, the driver said he remembered dropping his wife off at work, but nothing else. He told police he was on medication and his wife confirmed that the doctor said his medication may cause him to pass out.
Kenton County Police are awaiting toxicology reports and do not yet know what the mans condition may have been just moments before causing the fatal accident.
In Feb. 2015, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey revealed that more drivers are getting behind the wheel while under the influence of prescribed, or illegal, drugs. About one in four drivers in the survey tested positive for at least one drug that could affect their driving abilities.
The personal injury lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy implores drivers to never get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers should also read about the possible side effects of any medication they are prescribed and determine if it could impact their ability to drive.
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