Danielle Morin, a 23-year-old woman, was given a suspended jail sentence and probation after pleading guilty to causing a March head-on collision in Attleboro. In the Attleboro District Court, Morin was given a two-year jail sentence, which was suspended for two years with probation by Judge Daniel O’Shea after she had pleaded guilty to driving to endanger.
The March 5 head-on collision occurred around 9:30 p.m., when a passenger in the rear seat of Morin’s car allegedly put her hands over Morin’s eyes, which caused her to lose control of the car and crash into an oncoming car. The passenger, Latoya Garnes, 26, who allegedly covered Morin’s eyes, is scheduled to face trial on October 5. She pleaded innocent to assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, being disorderly, possession of an open container of alcohol and malicious damage. Police found a bottle of vodka, an open bottle of whiskey and a can of beer in the back seat of the vehicle. Morin, the driver, did not have alcohol on her breath and was not charged with drunken driving, according to court records. Morin was found responsible on civil charges of failing to drive within marked lanes and driving with an open container of alcohol, which were filed by the court.
O’Shea additionally ordered Morin to attend the Brains at Risk Program, which is a program to promote awareness about traumatic brain injuries and promote responsible driving. The Brian Injury Association of Massachusetts uses video, graphics, and group discussions as learning tools to demonstrate the importance of choices made by drivers and the potential impact of irresponsible driving.
The accident injured all three people in the other car. Jessica Coburn, 32, of Attleboro, and her 13-year-old daughter Janessa suffered from serious injuries while Scott Wilkins, 38, of Attleboro, had an arm injury. Coburn spent approximately a month in the hospital and another three months in a wheelchair from hip, leg and chest injuries.
If you have been involved in a road accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Source:
Driver pleads guilty to causing head-on crash, The Sun Chronicle, September 28, 2011
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If you have been injured on the road, an experienced Massachusetts accident lawyer can advise you.