Michigan Personal Injury Blog - alcohol

Alcoholic Energy Drinks Come Under FDA Scrutiny

David Mittleman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:02:36 GMT

Alcoholic energy drinks have gained in popularity, particularly among younger drinkers. But now, the drinks, marketed under flashy names like Evil Eye or Max Fury, are coming under the Food and Drug Administration’s scrutiny. The FDA has never approved of the addition of caffeine to alcoholic drinks, but the producers of these beverages claim that their products are safe. Nevertheless, the FDA is concerned that the addition of caffeine can mask the effects of alcohol, potentially leading to more instances of drunk driving, sexual assaults or other destructive behaviors.

The burden of proving that the caffeine-laden alcoholic beverages are safe falls squarely on the shoulders of the manufacturers. In a September 25^th letter to the FDA, a task force, consisting of the attorney generals of several states as well as several other state, city, and territorial law enforcement officials, stated that “there is a strong emerging consensus of scientific opinion that the combination of caffeine and alcohol…poses a serious public health risk”. Ultimately, the goal is to remove the caffeinated alcoholic beverages from the market. Since the FDA received the letter from the task force, they also issued a letter to the manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages. Manufacturers have 30 days to respond to the FDA.

So far, larger corporations such as Anheuser-Busch have already removed caffeine from their alcoholic energy drinks. However, other smaller companies such as Los-Angeles based Joose Beverage and Portland, Oregon-based Charge Beverages continue to sell alcoholic energy drinks infused with caffeine. The companies could still challenge the FDA’s request by arguing that their products have already been approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

MSU Student Killed in Grand Rapids-Area Car Crash

Devon Glass — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:36:57 GMT

Jeremy Sobczak-Obetts was, by all accounts, a hard-working and humorous individual with a bright future. A senior at Michigan State University, he had hoped to graduate with a degree in food service management. According to friends and family, Jeremy had a wealth of natural talent and exhibited a knack for succeeding in everything he tried.

Tragically, a car crash in Ada Township this weekend cut Jeremy's young life short. The single-vehicle accident, which occurred early Saturday morning, was caused when the SUV in which Jeremy was traveling slid off the road and struck a tree at high speed. The vehicle suffered catastrophic damage, although the driver sustained only minor injuries. Authorities believe alcohol and high speed were factors in the crash.

Jeremy's life may have ended Saturday morning, but his story is far from over. His grieving family members have spoken out to the media about the perils of drunk driving. Andrew Tittle, the driver of the SUV and a friend and neighbor of the Sobczak-Obetts family, has been formally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. Reports indicate that Tittle's blood-alcohol level was .22, nearly three times Michigan's legal limit of .08.

Jeremy's story is another horrific example of the consequences of drunk driving. Never drink and drive, and do not accept a ride from anyone you suspect to be drinking. Be smart, play it safe, and arrive alive.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Nassau County Woman, Drunk and High, Kills 7 in Head-on Collision

David Mittleman — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:39:46 GMT

Diane Shuler was driving to her home on Long Island after spending a vacation weekend at a Parksville campground with her daughter, son and three nieces. The only problem was that she was driving the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway—she drove 1.7 miles south in the northbound lane of traffic before hitting a SUV head-on. The driver of the SUV, Guy Bastardi, 49, died immediately in the fiery crash. Other victims included Schuler’s three nieces, her daughter, Guy’s father, Guy’s friend, and Shuler herself. Schuler’s 5-year-old son is the only survivor of the crash.

Now, toxicology reports show that Diane was drunk and high on marijuana during the time of the crash. Schuler, who was 36 and 5 foot 2, had a blood-alcohol level of .19—more than twice the state limit of .08 in New York—with six additional grams of alcohol left undigested in her stomach. Furthermore, the toxicology reports also indicated that she had smoked fifteen minutes to an hour before the crash. In an interview last Friday, Schuler’s husband, a public safety officer in Nassau County, described his wife as a “social drinker” and said he knew that she occasionally smoked marijuana. Nevertheless, he alleged that she “seemed fine” before getting in the car to leave the campground around 9:30 a.m. with the children.

The Bastardi family plans to sue Schuler’s family for the death of their two relatives. Specifically, they believe Schuler’s husband acted as an accomplice in the crash because he admitted that he knew she had been smoking and drinking and still let her drive.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Head-On Collision outside of Hesperia Kills One Man and Seriously Injured a Child

Devon Glass — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:36:00 GMT

8-year-old Elizabeth Sied was transported by helicopter to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in critical condition after a vehicle driven by Bruce Hallowell crossed the center line of Maple Island Road and collided head-on with the car driven by 27-year-old Nicole Sied.

Bruce Hallowell, 55, died at the scene of the collision, which occurred near 16th street, 3 miles south of Hesperia. Elizabeth Sied has since been downgraded to fair condition. Toxicology reports on Mr. Hallowell are still pending to determine if alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Teen Boy Dies at House Party from Lethal Combination of Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction Medication

David Mittleman — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:07:15 GMT

Orinda, California—16-year-old Joseph Loudon died on May 23 during a house party. Investigators were not surprised to find alcohol in his blood, but were shocked to find high levels of papaverine, the active ingredient in most erectile dysfunction medications, in his system.

Police are investigating whether or not the boy took the drug purposely, or if other partygoers slipped it into the boy’s drink as a prank. The combination of papaverine and the alcohol caused Loudon to throw up and he subsequently choked to death on his own vomit, according to the Contra Costa County coroner.

Papaverine is a vasodilator, which makes blood vessels bigger by relaxing the muscles surrounding them. As is common knowledge, older males, not teenagers, commonly use erectile dysfunction medications. Therefore, those who do die as a result of taking papaverine-containing drugs, usually die because they were taking other drugs that interacted negatively with the erectile dysfunction medication. Neither the boy’s mother or father claimed to have had erectile dysfunction medication in either of their homes. However, police have arrested three people suspected of furnishing alcohol or fake ID cards to minors at the party.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Family and Friends Mourn Loss of Teenager Who Was Killed by Drunk Driver

Devon Glass — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:37:49 GMT

Holland—Kevin Babcock, a 44-year-old man, hit and killed Curtis Jacobs, a 19-year-old bicyclist, and seriously injured Christian Van Wyngarden, also 19, on Saturday on U.S. 31 near Holland. The two teens were part of a group of bicyclists. Mr. Babcock is now in jail on charges for second-degree murder and driving while intoxicated. When interrogated, the motorist admitted to consuming as many as twenty drinks before the 8:30 a.m. crash. Moreover, police reports showed he had a blood-alcohol level of .16 percent, which is twice the legal limit.

Police reported that Babcock was speeding and driving erratically, and that he drove through a red light and struck the two boys on their bicycles, as they were attempting to cross the highway with a larger group of bicyclists. After the collision, he backed the car up and attempted to drive away. However, police were able to stop him three miles north of the accident site.

Babcock’s license has been suspended since 1993, and his girlfriend is now being questioned because he was driving her car. If police find that she “knowingly permitted” him to drive her vehicle with a suspended license, she could face up to five years in prison. Berry alleges she did not know that Babcock had a suspended license, but was aware of his previous legal problems, including four alcohol-related driving convictions.

Curtis's visitation will be today at Ridge Point Community Church with his funeral services to be held tomorrow, Friday July 3, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Elderly Man Causes Head-on Collision Early Sunday Morning

Devon Glass — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:32:16 GMT

A 74-year-old Flint Township man is in critical condition after he was involved in a head-on collision on northbound I-475 at 2:30 this morning.

Police reported that the man was driving the wrong way on the highway, when he collided head-on with another vehicle going north near Stewart Avenue in Flint.

The occupants of the other vehicle, two 37-year-olds, are in fair condition in a Flint hospital. Alcohol is believed to have played a role in the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Part II: Drunk Driver Caught After Trying to Flee From Accident

Devon Glass — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:15:44 GMT

Further information has been released about the tragic death of two Lansing, Michigan residents. Sylvia Porter and her 17-year-old son, Major Washington, Jr., left their home on Monday night to return a movie. Major Washington, Sr., was watching TV, when he heard a knock on his door from a Lansing police officer shortly after his family had ran out for a short errand, who informed him of the news.

Daniel Adam Burwell, 27, also of Lansing, has been arraigned and charged with driving while under the influence, driving with a suspended license and two counts of second degree murder. He faces up to life in prison for the deaths of Sylvia Porter and Washington Jr.

Lansing Catholic Central students are mourning the death of their classmate with mass services and grief counselors. Washington Jr. was a junior at Catholic Central who has been described as an upbeat teen who was a member of the school’s football team.

April is alcohol awareness month. Mothers against drunk driving (MADD) wishes to raise awareness this month, to eliminate tragedies such as the one that happened Monday evening. A drunk driving fatality occurs every 30 minutes in the United States. You can help raise awareness and prevent these deaths by pledging with MADD to eliminate drunk driving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Devon Glass

Keeping Your Kids Safe From Substance Abuse

David Mittleman — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:26:00 GMT

Drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers is alarmingly prevalent. Perhaps the most frightening aspect of this epidemic is that very few parents are aware that their children may be involved in these "stealth" activities. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the best solution to this problem is to start a conversation with your kids.

In a full-page ad, the organization spells out twelve tips to help you communicate with your children about this touchy topic. Some examples include:

Don’t be afraid to start talking. The dialog is not about what you may or may not have done as a teenager - It’s about what your kids are going to do with their lives.
You’re the best judge of your children’s temperament. You know better than anyone what information they can handle.
Don’t lie about your past. It could undermine your credibility. Give an honest answer or none at all.
There’s no need to divulge too much information.
Make your point clear: tell your kids that you do not want them to use drugs.
Use your own experiences to prepare yourself for the conversation. Drugs are constantly the subject of news shows, celebrity headlines, and song lyrics. Share what you’ve learned with your children.
Be sure to listen. A conversation requires two people. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Remain calm. Don’t raise your voice and try not to lose your temper. This topic is awkward for everyone involved.

These tips from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America should be a helpful starting point. Your kid’s future might depend on you taking the first step and opening up.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman

Is 99% Of The Time Good Enough?

David Mittleman — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:40:14 GMT

A Sparrow Hospital "distracted" lab-technician confused two samples of a deceased woman’s blood and urine samples, mistakenly finding that she had no alcohol in her system the night she died in a single car accident. When really, 21-year old Ashley Cripe, had more than two times the legal limit of alcohol in her system the night she died. So how did the lab technician get it so wrong? Sparrow’s response–"human error."

A spokesman for Sparrow Hospital said the initial findings happened because a lab technician tested someone else’s blood sample twice. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department probed further into the issue after hearing reports that Ashley Cripe had been at a bar in Flint the evening that she died. The spokesman for Sparrow maintained that the Sparrow lab has a 99.999% accuracy rate and that "[n]obody’s perfect". He further stated, "[t]he phone could ring. Somebody could talk to you. You could grab the wrong test tube. That’s kind of what basically happened in this case." So that beg’s the question, is 99% of the time good enough?

If the facts of this case were twisted a little and instead of this being a single car accident, two cars were involved, the blood and urine results could determine a persons fate. If someone were mistakenly charged with driving twice over the legal limit and for murdering another person, 99% of the time wouldn’t be good enough. Just like a pilot landing a plane safely 99% of the time, wouldn’t be good enough. Or a doctor giving a couple the right baby 99% of the time, wouldn’t be good enough. Should we really be holding lab-technicians to a different standard?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Mittleman