Mansfield, OH — 47-year-old Tyran V. Phelps was injured in a single-vehicle car accident that occurred on Thursday, December 10, just after 7 p.m. near the intersection of Miller Street and Fifth Street.
Phelps was allegedly driving a black Chevy Impala on Fifth Street, when he attempted to turn onto Miller Street, but apparently turned too quickly, causing his car to flip over, where it hit a wire and a utility pole.
Police say Phelps was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated and rushed to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for his injuries. Police also suspect that he was under the influence at the time of the accident.
Map of the Accident
Commentary:
It’s not commonly known by the general public, but 7 p.m. is one of the most dangerous times for drunk-driving accidents because this is often the time that bars and restaurants end their “happy hours.”
In states like Ohio, if drivers accused of drunk driving are found to have been drinking at a bar or restaurant, and evidence points to the fact that they were over-served past the point of intoxication, the bar, in addition to the drunk driver, would bear some responsibility for any injuries or deaths caused in an accident.
The reason these laws are in place are not to take responsibility off the driver, but to also hold bars responsible so they won’t take advantage of their customers. These laws were made to protect innocent victims, but also to help prevent drunk driving accidents in general. We don’t know if this driver was drinking at a bar that night, but if he was, the bar may actually have played a role in his accident.
—Grossman Law Offices
