A charity fundraiser turned deadly when an SUV veered into a line of motorcycles riding in memory of a Windham police officer. A motorcycle passenger was killed and two drivers injured when a Chevy Blazer struck them, sending them into the guardrail. One of the injured victims was treated and released from a local hospital; the other was airlifted in critical condition to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
The driver of the SUV, Randall Stewart, 46, was alleged to be driving while intoxicated at the time of the accident. Numerous area police departments received word of his Chevy Blazer driving erratically before the crash. Officers participating in the Knight Ride charity motorcycle event noticed Stewart's vehicle and tried to get him to slow down; however, before they could do so, Stewart swerved into the opposite lane and struck two motorcycles. Police at the scene noted that Stewart seemed markedly impaired, saying that he "couldn't stand up straight" and "he couldn't put together a coherent sentence."
Stewart admitted to police that he had taken a prescription painkiller earlier that morning, but denied consuming any alcohol. However, only 12 hours before the accident, Stewart was charged with a class A misdemeanor DWI as a second offense under New Hampshire DWI laws. He was previously convicted of his first DWI in 2005.
While it is not unusual for a New Hampshire DWI lawyer to see repeat offenders, it is unusual that someone would be charged with the crime twice in 24 hours. Officers report that the first incident was "kind of routine DWI." Stewart was arrested after motorists observed him driving erratically withouth headlights. After his arrest, Stewart was issued a summons to appear in court, and police officers drove him home. Several hours later, he was again charged with DWI after the accident that claimed the life of a 49-year-old woman. New Hampshire DWI laws stipulate that a DWI accident that causes serious injury is considered "aggravated DWI." As such, Stewart has been charged with negligent homicide, aggravated driving while intoxicated and two counts of felony reckless conduct. He is in police custody with bail set at $100,000.
This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, serving Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia. Please visit Maryland Criminal Lawyer and Virginia DUI Lawyer.
