Russell & Hill, PLLC

Man Charged With Eighth DUI After Hit-And-Run

Posted on : March 22, 2019Posted By : Russell HillPosted In : Car Accident

We are learning of a man who has been charged with his eighth DUI, this time after police followed a “debris trail and grooves in the sidewalk” according to reports. The grooves were left by Joseph Shaun Goodman’s vehicle, which was missing a tire. Police found Goodman hiding near a stairwell.

According to police reports, Goodman crashed his car into a sign at Bay Street off of Elliott Avenue. Witnesses said that he ran a red light and was driving with one tire after that. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we are glad that nobody was injured due to Goodman’s actions, but we know the story could have been much different. If you need a Seattle car accident attorney, you can count on us to secure the compensation you deserve.

A Rough History With DUIs

Goodman’s seventh DUI arrest came in 2013 after a 100 mph police chase through downtown Olympia. That time, he crashed his Ferrari into a parked car and a home. At the time, the public was outraged because he was sentenced only to 364 days of work release because a judge decided that a harsher sentence would harm his business, employees, and community.

Goodman avoided a harsher sentence because his previous DUI cases were spread out enough to not allow his misdemeanor DUI charge to be upgraded to a felony.

“Repeat DUI offenders are the most dangerous criminals out there. Motor vehicle crashes are the sixth-leading cause of preventable deaths, and they are on the rise in our state,” says Amy Freedheim, a King County senior deputy prosecutor.

She goes on to point out that there is no excuse in 2019 to not use a ridesharing service when you need a ride home because you have had too much to drink.

In Goodman’s latest DUI, police discovered he had hit a parked car once again, but this could just as easily been a tragic case. What if Goodman slammed into a pedestrian while he was barreling down the sidewalk with one tire?

For the latest reporting year in Washington, there were over 6,000 alcohol-related crashes. 237 of those were fatal collisions and they caused over 2,300 injuries. The problems that drunk drivers pose on our roadways are real and impaired drivers must be held accountable for their actions when they cause injuries.

What You Can Do Now

If you or a loved one have been injured in a vehicle crash that was caused by another person, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we will work to investigate all aspects of your case so we can secure the compensation you deserve for all crash-related expenses. This includes not only having coverage for your medical bills, but also the other hidden expenses related to crashes: pain and suffering, lost income and benefits, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. If you need a Seattle car accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 206-516-2045.

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