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Police Say Car Involved in Fatal Car Accident Fled DUI Checkpoint Minutes Before Crash

A tube of lipstick, a smashed pack of cigarettes and a solitary sandal were all that was left to speak of the occupants after a single car accident in Denver last week. The brutal impact of the accident killed three of those inside, including the driver, with the fourth passenger clinging to life at a Denver hospital. Now, state patrol authorities say that the car in question had just fled the scene of a DUI checkpoint just minutes before the crash.

After fleeing the checkpoint, the Subaru Impreza driven by 22-year-old James Thomas, apparently hit a raised island in the road, and was thrown into the air.  Thereafter, it hit the median, and then was launched into the air after which it flipped over, landing on its roof. James, his girlfriend Danielle Devores, and other passenger Melissa Buns were killed instantly. The fourth passenger Nicholas Palmer is currently listed in critical condition at Denver Health Medical Center in Denver.   He is reported to have many broken bones in his face, and family and friends hope he will recover.

All four of the passengers seemed to have been wearing seat belts. James’ behavior when he came upon the checkpoint – speeding from the scene when asked to stop by state patrol officers – seems to be evidence that he was intoxicated.  Police have so far not confirmed the role of alcohol in the crash, however.

Both women, who died in the rollover accident, were in their late teens.  James and Danielle apparently had been dating since they met in high school three years ago.  The two were saving up to buy a house, and their friends say they had been planning a future together. That doesn’t take away from the fact that this young man has quite a history of run-ins with the law.  The more minor offenses include a ticket for speeding and turning without signaling in 2006.  The more serious offenses are disturbing. In 2005, he was arrested for careless driving, and was charged with possession of marijuana. He pleaded guilty to that charge. Even as a teenager, James seems to have made it a habit of violating rules. He pleaded guilty to speeding charges back in 2002.

We don’t know if the other three passengers were drunk, but if James was, then he and he alone has to be blamed for the deaths of the two women and the serious injuries that Nicholas has suffered.  He had no business getting behind the wheel in an inebriated condition.  He put not only his own, but also the safety for his passengers in jeopardy, and they have paid with the greatest price of all. You may argue that the two girls and Nicholas should probably not have been riding with a drunk driver anyway, but the fact is that James was the one behind the wheel, and as such, all responsibility begins and ends with him.

Now, there are two young lives snuffed out needlessly, and a young man who’s going to have a tough time getting through this nightmare.  For the families of the two dead women and the survivor, it would be worth looking into their legal options.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of drunk driving accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

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