Pontiac, MI — Three children have been hospitalized with critical injuries after an accident police believe was caused by a drunk driver. The accident took place on Friday, April 17, 2015.
Reports say that it was about 7:15 at night when 24-year-old Ieshia Barnes ran a red light while headed west on South Blvd. and hit a car waiting to make a right turn onto Woodward Avenue.
The driver of the van has not been named, but reports say he was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in serious condition. Also inside the vehicle were a 16, 3, and 2-year-old. Each of them suffered critical injuries and were also hospitalized.
The 3-year-old is currently on life support, while the other two children are listed in critical condition.
Police tested Barnes for alcohol use and found she had a BAC of .156, which is almost twice the legal limit. She was charged with three counts of operating under the influence and causing serious injury. She faces up to five years in prison. The accident is still being investigated.
Scene of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary
I’d be very interested to know whether or not the driver involved in this accident was drinking at a bar before the crash. That’s important because Michigan law says that establishments serving alcohol aren’t allowed to serve those visible intoxicated. If they’re found to have over-served someone who then went out and got into an accident, the bar could be held liable for it. Unfortunately, laws like this get ignored all the time, and innocent people suffer for it. When that happens, the bar should be held accountable rather than be allowed to open its doors the very next day as if nothing had happened.
— Grossman Law Offices
