Oct 29, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
The Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is a battery of three tests administered in order to obtain validated indicators of impairment and establish probable cause for arrest. The three tests of the SFST are: 1) Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus; 2) Walk and Turn; and, 3) the One Leg Stand. These tests are administered and evaluated based on the measured responses of the suspect.
1) HGN Testing: is an involuntary jerking of the eye that occurs naturally as the eyes gaze to the side. Normally, nystagmus occurs when the eyes are rotated at high peripheral angles. When a person is impaired by alcohol, the rotation is exaggerated and may occur at lesser angles. A person who is under the influence of alcohol will often have difficulty proficiently tracking an object. In this test, the examiner looks for three indicators of impairment in each eye: if the eye cannot follow the moving object smoothly, if jerking is distinct when the eye is at maximum divergence, and if the angle of onset of jerking is within 45 degrees of center. The officer will discern whether the suspect is over 0.08 BAC if, between the two eyes, a certain number of clues appear.
2) Walk and Turn: This test is very easily performed by most unimpaired people. This test requires a suspect to listen to and follow instructions while performing simple physical movements. The suspect is required to take nine steps, heel-to-toe, along a straight line. After taking the steps, the suspect must turn on one foot and return in the same manner in the opposite direction. There are eight indicators the examiner will look for in order to determine impairment. These are: if the suspect cannot keep balance while listening to instructions, begins before instructions are finished, stops while walking to regain balance, makes an improper turn, or takes an incorrect number of steps. Two or more indicators typically indicate a higher than 0.08 BAC.
3) One Leg Stand: In the One-Leg Stand test, the suspect is instructed to stand with one foot approximately six inches off the ground and count aloud by thousand (one one-thousand, two one-thousand etc.) until told to place the foot back down. The officer typically times the person for 30 seconds. The examiner will look for indicators including swaying while balancing, using arms for balance, hopping to maintain balance, and putting the foot down. Two or more indicators indicate more than a 0.08 BAC.
It is important that when a police officer administers these tests, they are doing so appropriately, and within the confines of the fourth amendment of the US Constitution. If you or someone close to you has been given a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, it is important that the officer took multiple factors into consideration. If you have any questions regarding the administration of “SFST’s,” please call the Law Offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower at 803.548.4444 or Toll Free at 877.374.5999.
Oct 29, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
Two York County Police officers were released from the hospital after being injured in a car accident Thursday afternoon.
According to the police report, the accident occurred at or about 4:00 p.m. at the Carowinds Boulevard exit off of Interstate 77.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has reported that the cause of the accident was a flat-bed truck that stalled out in the northbound lanes of I-77. When the officers observed the halted vehicle, they activated their blue lights and pulled behind the truck to assist the stranded motorist.
One officer stayed inside the vehicle, while the other officer got out of the patrol car. It was at that moment that an SUV came speeding down the road, striking the patrol car and crushing it underneath the bed of the truck.
Subsequently, both of the officers were injured by the incident, and transported to the hospital. The driver of the flat-bed truck was also taken to the hospital.
The SC Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident to determine if charges need to be filed.
Being involved in any sort of car accident can be frightening and overwhelming. If you, or someone you know has been involved in a serious car accident, contact the attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower today. With over 75 years combined legal experience, our team is ready to fight for the justice you deserve. Contact is at
Oct 26, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
The amount of alcohol in a person’s body is measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain measure of blood; also known as the “blood alcohol concentration,” or “BAC.”
When alcohol is consumed by a person, it is absorbed directly through the walls of the stomach and the small intestine; it then travels into the blood stream throughout the body finally impacting the brain. This is how one becomes “intoxicated.” Alcohol is absorbed rapidly and can be measured within 30 to 70 minutes after a person has had a drink.
There are a number of factors that play into how fast a person’s BAC rises. First, the number of drinks one consumes is the most obvious; the more one drinks the higher the BAC. Second, how quickly one imbibes alcohol can be an issue because the body breaks down alcohol at a rate of about one drink per hour; therefore, if a person consumes one drink per hour, it will break down at a more rapid pace than five drinks because of the filtration limitations of the human liver. Third, gender can also contribute because women generally have less water and more body fat per pound than men, and alcohol does not go into fat cells as easily as other cells. Thus, alcohol can remain in the blood of women for longer periods of time. Fourth, one’s weight is another factor because the more a person weighs, the more water is present in the body. This causes the dilution of the alcohol, and the lowering of the person’s BAC. Finally, the last factor is how much food a person has in his or her stomach. Absorption will be slowed down if you have had something to eat.
Due to these multiple factors, it is very hard for a person to assess his or her own impairment. Though small amounts of alcohol can affect one’s ability to drive, people often swear they are “fine” after several drinks. However, the failure to recognize impairment can often be one of the symptoms of impairment.
This lack of recognition causes a person to get behind the wheel of a car when they shouldn’t. As a result bad things can happen; one may be arrested by the police, or even more serious they are more likely to be involved in an automobile accident as a result of their impairment. This could injure or even kill the driver and also the people who were driving in the vehicle. The charge of DUI could then be escalated to a more serious charge of Vehicular Manslaughter and Felony DUI.
If you or a loved one has made the decision to get behind the wheel of a car, boat, or any other motorized vehicle and been charged with a DUI or Felony DUI, call the Law Offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower to discuss your outcome. Contact us today for a free consultation at704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Oct 25, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A Tuesday morning crash involving three cars on Statesville Road near Catawba Avenue and Westmoreland Road has left a Huntersville woman dead.
According to authorities, the crash was reported around 8:30 a.m. in the 19100 block of Statesville Road near Catawba Avenue and Westmoreland Road.
An injured Huntersville woman was transported to Carolinas Medical Center—Huntersville with life-threatening injuries, but later died.
Two other victims were rushed to the hospital—one with potentially life-threatening injuries was taken to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.
The crash shut down Statesville Road until around 10 a.m.
The investigation is continuing as the cause of the crash is unknown. No charges have been filed.
Studies from the NHTSA reveal that motor-vehicle crashes were the cause of 90 deaths per day in 2010. Taking the appropriate safety precautions is the job of all road users. Firstly, never drink and drive. It’s always possible to make arrangements for alternate transportation. Also, obey the speed limit. The faster you drive, the more you increase your risk of being in a crash. Avoid distractions and stay alert. Never drive while you are feeling fatigued or drowsy. Lastly, always wear a seat belt or proper restraints.
If you are involved in a serious accident, don’t waste your time calling anyone else. The trusted Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower can be there to help you and your loved ones find a path to recovery by investigating every aspect of the accident and holding all parties accountable for your loss. Call 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free today and talk to one of our trusted attorneys directly. Protect the rights of yourself and your loved ones by hiring the best accident attorneys.
Oct 25, 2012 | Car Accidents, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
After years of bumper-to-bumper commutes and the worst bottlenecks in the state, progress is being made in plans to expand a busy stretch of Interstate 485 in south Charlotte.
Contractors have been hired to expand a stretch of I-485 that extends nine miles, adding new lanes from Interstate 77 to Rea Road.
According to reports, the design team is now determining how to put it all in place and tweek the plans to add additional lanes and even add a massive flyover at the Johnston Road interchange.
Drivers should expect some lane closings to accommodate the construction next summer, but so far there are no expectations of closing the interstate completely.
Every day, over 135, people hit Interstate 485 in Charlotte. The traffic on certain stretches can easily turn a simple commute into a length bumper-to-bumper congested haul. Not to mention, rush hour brings on daily nightmares of stop-and-go and dangerous crashes. Whether it’s rush hour or any other time of day, if you or a loved one has been involved in a serious accident, call the Car Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free. You can trust our attorneys to assist you on a successful path to recovery.
Oct 25, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
A crash involving a FBI agent completely shut down the outer loop of Interstate 485 near Steele Creek Road Thursday afternoon.
According to North Carolina Highway Patrol, an on-duty FBI agent driving a black SUV was parked on the left shoulder off the highway when a pickup truck veered off the road and crashed into the SUV.
Three people suffered potentially life-threatening injuries and the driver of the pickup truck was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center—Main.
Witnesses say the woman driver of the truck that struck the SUV was speeding.
Highway Patrol directed traffic off of I-485 at the exit ahead of Steele Creek Road while crews worked to clear the scene.
As the speed of a car increases, the chances of being in a dangerous, potentially fatal crash increase exponentially. In fact, a driver going 35 miles per hour is two times more likely to kill someone than if they were driving 30 miles per hour or less. Long story short, speed is no stranger to motor-vehicle crashes, and obeying the speed limit saves lives. If you are involved in a serious accident, call 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free to contact the trusted Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower. Our attorneys are will help you along each and every step in your path to recovery.
