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[Wasco, CA] – Donald Frank Steinhaus Killed in DUI Accident on Highway 46 and North Leonard Avenue
Donald Frank Steinhaus Dead, Margaret Fladhammer Arrested for Wasco DUI Accident
December 19, 2020 – Donald Frank Steinhaus, age 61, lost his life in a DUI crash. Moreover, the man from Oceano died on Highway 46 and North Leonard Avenue on Tuesday night around 8:20 P.M.
Furthermore, the Kern County Sheriff’s office reported that officers responded to the scene of the head on collision. Upon arrival, they found the two vehicles that had been involved in the deadly accident.
According to the police report, Margaret Fladhammer, age 61, from Oceano Ca, was traveling eastbound on Highway 46.
Then, for unexplained reasons her vehicle swerved towards the oncoming vehicle. As a result, the two vehicles collided head-on into each other.
Unfortunately, the driver of the other vehicle was identified as Donald Frank Steinhaus, age 43, who passed away due to the extent of his injuries.
Additionally, rescue workers transported Mr. Steinhaus’ passenger to a local hospital. Subsequently, she sustained only moderate treatable injuries.
In the Wake of Deadly Wasco Head-on Collision
Afterward, investigating officers discovered that Ms. Fladhammer was indeed driving while intoxicated which led to the collision. Mostly, she only suffered minor injuries from the accident.
As a result, Ms. Fladhammer was taken into custody for driving under the influence resulting in bodily injury, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of paraphernalia.
Indeed, practice safe driving habits on the roadways. Especially, when roads are empty. You never know, where police are hiding.
Do Not Drink and Drive
It is never a promising idea to drink and drive. As a result, you could end up in jail. Furthermore, it can ruin your life in many other ways as well. For instance, you could wind up dead.
Risking your life is not even the worst thing either. As a result, you risk others as well. Other examples include large fines, a criminal record and prison time.
Furthermore, these things will follow you for the rest of your life.
Drinking and driving is illegal. Also, it is up there with one of the most dangerous things that you can do.
Alcohol prevents your ability to think clearly. As a result, your ability to pay attention and make safe driving choices is negatively affected.
For some, the law is not enough deterrent. Still, a clear understanding of what can happen when you drink, and drive might be enough to stop this reckless behavior.
Statistics
Statistically, 112 million adults were cited for drinking and driving in 2010. Moreover, this is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2009 alone, 11,000 people (about the seating capacity of Cameron basketball stadium at Duke University) died in car crashes involving at least one person whose blood-alcohol limit was above 0.08%.
Also, according to the CDC. Furthermore, The Mothers Against Drunk Driving website reports that 27 people die every day due to drinking and driving.
Similarly, four out of every five drunk drivers are men. Not to mention, 32% of all drunk driving incidents involve a male between the ages of 21 and 34.
Car Accidents
Primarily, car accidents pose the highest danger when it comes to drinking and driving. Also, drinking too much alcohol impairs your ability to use your common sense and think long-term.
DrinkingAndDriving.org says that having too much to drink also slows your reaction time. Furthermore, that makes it more difficult for your brain to process information.
With all these factors, it makes for one dangerous and distracted driver. Also, when you do not pay attention to other vehicles around you, you are more likely to get into a car crash.
Moreover, when your response times are slower due to alcohol, you might not hit the brakes soon enough. As a result, you can cause serious accidents.
Intoxication Dangers to Others
When you get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, your life is not the only one at risk. Also, you are putting the safety of everyone else on the road in jeopardy too.
Many drunken drivers get into single-car crashes and seriously hurt or kill themselves. Furthermore, in 22.3% of all car accidents causing driver death, the driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in many cases, drunk drivers often collide with other motorists. As a result, seriously injuring or killing them.
According to the “Journal of Political Economy,” 53.2% of all fatal car accidents involve one sober driver, and one drunk driver.
How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?
By law, a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher is considered driving while impaired. For the average person, only drinking four beers is enough to reach a blood alcohol level of 0.08%, according to the CDC.
Some people, such as small women, can be legally drunk after drinking only two or three beers.
However, after five beers, an average sized person will have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%.
Furthermore, after seven beers, that number rises to 0.15%.
When you are out with friends or family, always choose someone to be the assigned driver. Additionally, you could plan to call a cab rather than driving home yourself.
Never get into the car with somebody who has been drinking either. Moreover, if you suspect that someone is driving drunk while you are out on the road, call the police.
Examine the road 1/2 mile to a full mile ahead to find or recognize potential risks in time.
Sadly, our bodies were not built to travel at 50mph. We were designed for running speeds of less than 10mph. Thus, you need to learn to deliberately break that instinct and concentrate further ahead.
How Dangerous Is Drinking and Driving?
According to a study held in 2014, an adult driver with a blood alcohol level (BAL) of 0.08 is 7x more likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident than a sober driver.
On average, young adult drivers with a 0.08 BAL are 12x more likely to be in a fatal car accident than those who have not had alcohol.
The more you drink, the more likely you are to have a deadly crash.
These are the cold, hard facts.
Do You Know What Laws Your State Has?
Alcohol Will Increase Your Risk of a Crashing
Mathematically, a 160-pound individual who drinks two 12-ounce beers within an hour would have a BAL of 0.04.
Moreover, this is well below the legal limits of driving under the influence.
However, this will also increase your BAL of 1.4x more likely to have an accident than someone who is sober.
Additionally, setting the “drunk driving” criteria at 0.08 sends a mixed message.
As a result, people might think that it is ok to drive if you are under that BAL.
That message needs to change!
Do NOT drink and drive under any circumstances.
To the family and friends of Donald Frank Steinhaus, we at Salkow Law firm cannot begin to imagine what you are going through, and our sincerest condolences go out to you.
Salkow Law are true advocates that will work with you directly to achieve justice. Insurance companies want to pay as little compensation as they can. They will even try to make your case go away completely. We will fight for you so that does not happen.
Unlike, the law firms you see plastered on billboards and buses, at Salkow Law you will receive a level of personal service long forgotten at the ‘big’ firms. With us you will not be a faceless, nameless case file. We’ll answer any questions you have and make sure you have a full understanding of how the process works.
This is especially true for families that have lost a loved one in an accident. We won’t stop until we’ve gotten you fair compensation to alleviate the financial toll that unexpected devastation brings.
Call us for a free consultation at (310) 914 – 8484
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