Texas Woman Arrested for DWI After Crashing into House

 Posted on January 01, 2020 in Uncategorized

In the early morning hours of New Years' Day 2020, a Bryan, Texas woman was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. The arrest occurred after her vehicle was discovered to have crashed through the side of a house. When the police arrived on the scene, the woman was still behind the wheel.

According to media reports, 61-year-old Deborah Lockledge was both the owner of the vehicle and behind the wheel at the time of the crash. She was alone in the car when the police arrived.

The police report states Lockledge claimed to have fallen ill while driving. She attempted to pull over to the side of the road but lost control of the vehicle, slamming into the side of a home on Carter Creek Parkway in Bryan. The car smashed through the wall and into the home, but no one inside suffered injuries.

Suspicion of DWI

According to the police report, law enforcement suspected intoxication immediately. Ms. Lockledge admitted to having a glass of wine shortly before midnight before heading home. The responding officers reported she seemed disoriented, could not remember what happened, and struggled to provide identification. (But remember, after a crash like this, you are bound to be disoriented and confused.)

The officers continued to detail their DWI investigation by noting they smelled alcohol coming from the driver. This led the police to request her to take field sobriety tests, which they say she failed. The officers then placed her under arrest and transported her to the Brazos County Sheriff's Office. At the time of her arrest, officers also discovered several bottles of medication, including Valium, in her purse. She was eventually released on bond. The law in Texas is that prescription medication--even with a valid prescription--can be used as evidence of intoxication.

Fighting a DWI in Houston

Whether or not Ms. Lockledge fights back against her charges or pleads guilty is her decision to make. If you find yourself in the same legal position of being charged with a misdemeanor DWI in Texas, you would be best served to discuss your options with skilled legal counsel.

There is no guarantee that you will obtain a positive outcome in your case, but it is possible to beat a DWI in Houston or throughout Texas. In fact, attorney Doug Murphy has made a name for himself by routinely prevailing in these cases at trial. Here are some things to consider about defending against a DWI charge.

Pros

There are some obvious benefits to fighting a DWI case. First and foremost, your only chance to avoid a criminal conviction entirely requires you to defend your case vigorously. The two ways you could obtain this outcome are through winning at trial or seeing your case dismissed by the prosecutor. Even if you lose at trial, there is a strong possibility any penalties will be less severe than any plea bargain.

Cons

Generally speaking, a person will receive the same punishment offered prior to trial than they would be if convicted by a jury. This is dependent upon the facts of the case, the client's arrest history, and the court. Trial can be time-consuming and stressful, but usually the rewards outweigh the risks. All facts of your case along with risks and rewards will be weighed upfront to allow you to determine the best course of action in your case.

How a Board Certified Houston DWI Defense Attorney Can Help

There are pros and cons to most decisions, and defending a DWI case is no different. In his experience, attorney Doug Murphy has found that fighting these charges is generally in the best interest of his clients. If you are ready to learn more, contact the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. right away.