In April of 2017, a driver suspected of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs may have caused a crash on Argonne Road, according to The Spokesman-Review.

A man driving a Ford F250 pickup was arrested on suspicion of drugs DUI after he allegedly ran a red light and hit a vehicle. The accident happened on Argonne Road and Broadway Avenue in the afternoon hours. He was allegedly traveling south on Argonne in the far eastern lane when he ran a red light, according to the Spokane County Sheriff. He hit a bright green Ford Fiesta heading west at the time of the crash. The crash caused the Fiesta to launch and flip in the air prior to landing on its roof. The vehicle's tire flew into the intersection and landed near a parking lot. The driver was not injured.

The intersection was shut down for several hours. The outcome of the DUI case against the driver is still pending.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs in Spokane

Many people automatically think of alcohol when they hear that a driver was arrested for DUI. However, a driver can be charged with DUI for having a high level of drugs in his or her system while operating a motor vehicle.

In Washington, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It does not matter if the driver was traveling on the roadways at the time of the crash or sitting behind the wheel of the vehicle while parked.

The amount of drugs in a person's system is calculated differently than an alcohol DUI. A driver's blood is tested to determine if his or her blood alcohol concentration level is at 0.08% or higher. A BAC test traditionally cannot measure drug levels in the blood.

However, law enforcement does have ways to determine if the driver was high at the time they were operating the motor vehicle. If the driver's THC level was higher than 5.00, then he or she can be accused of drug DUI. In both situations, the chemical test must be taken within two hours of the arrest or accident to make a case.

Penalties for a Spokane DUI Conviction

DUI is a gross misdemeanor in Spokane. The maximum punishment for a DUI conviction is one year in county jail. A fine of $5,000 is also included in the DUI punishment. The mandatory punishment is typically is given to first time offenders or drivers who are repeat DUI offenders.

Contact West Law Office Regarding Your DUI Criminal Charge in Spokane

You have been accused of DUI in Spokane. You now have to prove your innocence. It is time to obtain the help of a top notch legal team to defend you. You also need a legal team to explain the laws and how best to proceed. Whether you want to fight your case in criminal court, a reduced sentence, or plea bargain, contact West Law Office.

(image courtesy of Dominik Martin)