A 7-year-old girl is in the hospital after her father, Joseph Harwell, collided with another vehicle while driving under the influence on March 26. He now faces harsh DUI fines and other penalties due to having an unrestrained child in the car. The 37-year-old was traveling on Carothers Parkway near Liberty Pike when his pickup struck another car head-on. Franklin Police who responded to the accident immediately recognized that Harwell was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the car accident.
WTVF-TV reported that authorities at the scene also found Harwell’s daughter, only 7 years old, unrestrained in the cab of the truck. She suffered serious injuries as a result of the car crash, and had to be transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. She remained under surveillance at the hospital, but was in stable condition.
Harsher Charges Given to DUI Drivers With Children in the Vehicle
In addition to being charged with driving under the influence (DUI), reckless endangerment and failure to maintain lane of travel and report an injury crash, Harwell also faces being in violation of Tennessee’s child restraint law. If a child is in the vehicle of a driver who is convicted of a DUI, there is a minimum sentence of at least 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Tennessee drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs bring unnecessary danger to our roads. Victims involved in car or truck accidents caused by someone else’s negligence need to talk with our Nashville truck accident attorney. When it comes to knowing what your next steps need to be in order to preserve your legal rights, our experienced firm can advise you in a free review of your case. Call (615) 866-3938, or fill out our case review form today.
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” – Proverbs 27:12