CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Chesterfield County Police Department has arrested a woman for allegedly driving under the influence after a car crash on Inspiration Drive Wednesday night.
Officers were called to the scene around 9:30 p.m. to find an overturned vehicle. Police told 8News the driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and was later arrested.
No injuries were reported.
In 2023, 6,676 motor-vehicle crashes were alcohol-related, resulting in 4,218 injuries and 230 deaths statewide, according to AAA. The month of December that year saw 428 alcohol-related crashes with 257 resulting in injuries and six fatalities.
Drinking and driving in Virginia
In Virginia, a conviction for a first-time offense of driving under the influence results in the revocation of one’s driver’s license for one year along with a mandatory minimum fine of $250, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
A conviction of a second offense includes:
- A mandatory, minimum $500 fine
- Driver’s license revocation for three years
- Possible jail term of up to one year
A conviction of third offense or DWI felony includes:
- A mandatory, minimum $1,000 fine
- Mandatory indefinite driver’s license revocation
- Prosecution as a Class 6 felony
Penalties will worsen as the number of DUI convicted offenses increase and differ depending on the number of convictions in a specific time frame (i.e., the number of offenses within a five or ten-year period).
Visit the DMV’s website for a full list of respective sanctions.
