Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
A 26-year-old man from Roslindale has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. The Boston Globe reported that Patrick Smith, a New Jersey man, was driving along the Major Deegan Expressway in New York City when he collided with a vehicle driven by Pablo Ovalles, who was driving north in a southbound lane. Smith was pronounced dead, and Ovalles is being hospitalized.
Source: The Boston Globe, Roslindale man charged in fatal crash
The potential consequences of drunk driving are serious everywhere. If this man had been charged in Massachusetts, then not only would he be facing jail time, but he would also be facing loss or suspension of his license, large fines, and much more. At Altman & Altman, we’ve successfully defended clients in countless drunk-driving cases.
If this man’s vehicular manslaughter charge had been a Massachusetts one, then the issue of whether he’d be looking at a felony or misdemeanor would depend on the circumstances. In Massachusetts, vehicular homicide is a felony where the driving was both negligent/reckless and the defendant was drunk. It’s a misdemeanor where the defendant was either reckless/negligent or drunk.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Massachusetts, call our defense lawyers now at (617) 492 3000 or (800) 481 6199 or contact us online.
