Being charged with drunk driving can lead to a number of legal consequences. Consequences can be even more severe for drivers who have prior DUI offenses. Drunk drivers can face penalties that include a jail sentence, license suspension, fines, and even the installation of an ignition-interlock device.

But how do police officers determine if a driver is intoxicated? What if the driver was in a serious accident prior to his arrest? Just recently, a young man from Seattle was arrested for drinking and driving. But in additional to possible legal penalties, he is also dealing with some physical injuries as well.

According to the report, the young man had been driving and speeding. He somehow lost control of his vehicle and as it went off the road, the vehicle rolled and slammed into a tree. After the collision, the vehicle caught on fire.

The young man was able to get free of the burning vehicle with the aid of some witnesses. Though he avoided being burned in his car, he did not escape without a head injury and a broken nose. When rescuers arrived, he was transported to a local medical center for treatment.

But how did police know he was intoxicated? Witnesses claimed that the man appeared to have been drinking and driving but how were they to know for sure? While it appears that blood test was administered while the man was at the hospital, there is no information as to what the test results were.

Defending against a drunk driving charge can help protect a driver's rights and future. It can be beneficial to speak to someone about the options available no matter how minor the drunk driving charge may seem.

Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer, "Man arrested for DUI after fiery crash near Phantom Lake," 05 July 2011.