On an ordinary January night, a young couple was driving home with their friends after enjoying a nice dinner out. They were completely unaware of the danger that lay ahead. As they approached a steep section of a bridge, headlights suddenly appeared in their lane, barreling straight toward them. The husband, who was driving, veered the steering wheel toward the median, in a desperate attempt to avoid a head-on collision. Despite his quick reflexes, the oncoming vehicle slammed into the passenger side of their vehicle, throwing their peaceful night into chaos.
What made the situation more alarming was what happened next. The at-fault driver fled the scene without checking on the people he had just hit. Lucky to have survived, they would later learn the full extent of the driver’s actions that night and just how close they had come to not making it home.
Fortunately, the passenger’s physical injuries were not permanent. She experienced moderate neck pain but avoided long-term disability. She had a clean MRI, received chiropractic care, physical therapy, and counseling. Still, the emotional toll, the disruption, and the sheer recklessness of the event added up to way more damage than medical costs alone.
The couple turned to Joye Law Firm for legal guidance. Attorneys Robert Howell and lead attorney Melissa Mosier together uncovered key facts and built a case, and ensuring that the reckless driver would be held accountable.
An Alarming Pattern of Drinking and Driving Uncovered
While the hit-and-run initially appeared to be a single incident, it was quickly linked to a much larger pattern of disregard for safety. The at-fault driver was only 18 years old and under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He was not charged with DUI.
Despite the severity of the incident, he showed little concern for the people he had injured. Instead, he expressed more frustration over the condition of his car and the loss of a few teeth than remorse for the crash.
While officers did not initially charge the defendant with driving under the influence, perform any field testing or secure a warrant for a blood sample, Attorneys Mosier and Howell were determined to prove what really happened that night. They launched a strategic investigation, digging into the driver’s actions before, during, and after the crash. What they discovered painted a troubling picture.
The driver had begun his evening at his family home with a close friend, drinking alcohol and playing video games. He later used a fake, scannable ID to purchase more alcohol at a local bowling alley, where he continued drinking. Witness statements and social media messages obtained during Mosier’s deposition of a witness revealed that moments before the defendant chose to get behind the wheel inebriated, his friend had ordered a rideshare. Rather than wait, he chose to drink and drive.
Minutes after smashing into our client’s vehicle, he resumed driving and struck a light pole and continued driving. Minutes after the second crash, the reckless series of events that crossed county lines and risked numerous lives finally came to an end as the drunk driver ran off the road and struck a tree. In the aftermath, the full picture of his actions and his disregard for everyone else on the road came into view.
Despite completing a substance abuse program following the crash, the defendant was soon thereafter arrested for purchasing alcohol using a fake ID while attending a concert with his mother. And years later, a subsequent wreck occurred just a few hours after his 21st birthday, showcasing wanton disregard for safety.
Strategic Procurement of Evidence and Anticipating Defense Arguments
Despite the absence of a field sobriety test or breathalyzer result, Attorneys Howell and Mosier knew the defendant was under the influence, they just had to prove it. They started by subpoenaing the defendant’s hospital records, which confirmed a significantly elevated blood alcohol level of .217, nearly three times the legal limit. A visual diagram was created to track the driver’s route from the bowling alley to the final crash site, clearly illustrating the danger he posed during that time.
As the case progressed, the defense attempted to redirect the blame, trying to draw attention to the fact that the driver had been underage and shouldn’t have been served alcohol. It was an obvious attempt to escape blame by shifting focus to the establishment that served him.
“You anticipate defenses, you don’t fear them or ignore them. You run toward them to see if they hold water,” said Attorney Mosier. And that is exactly what our attorneys did, proactively uncovering layers of evidence that not only countered the defense’s arguments but strengthened the foundation of our case. They issued subpoenas, gathered messages between the defendant, his family, and his friend, and obtained the fake ID that had been used at various locations The evidence not only showed the defendant’s long history of using the fake ID, but also his family’s awareness of this issue, and tolerance of that behavior.
The case was also bolstered by eyewitness testimony. Our attorneys located and interviewed someone who had not only witnessed the crash, but came forward with a detailed description of the vehicle that helped lead to the driver’s identification. The good Samaritan also cared for our client in the aftermath of the crash while they awaited EMS.
Relentless Pursuit of Justice Pays Off for Drunk Driving Crash Victim
Together, the attorneys continued issuing subpoenas, taking depositions, and challenging every defense strategy. As the trial became imminent, just days before Christmas in 2024, Mosier presented the case before a live mock jury, where she gained valuable insights on the case. Mock jury presentation required Mosier to prepare for and present both sides of the case so that the mock jury could appraise the facts and provide feedback on the parties, the case, and liability. Following the focus group feedback, Mosier also made the difficult but deliberate choice to include the defendant’s mother in the litigation, arguing that her actions, or lack thereof, contributed to the outcome.
Our attorneys’ preparation and persistence paid off. Over a year after a failed mediation, a compromise settlement of $937,500 was reached, just a week before the case was formally scheduled for trial. Through their work, Attorneys Mosier and Howell achieved a phenomenal result, a resolution that not only provided justice but sent a clear message. “You owe a duty to your client to maximize their settlement, especially in a case like this,” said Howell, “regardless of how ‘minor’ the injuries may appear.”
This case wasn’t just about a crash. It was about holding an underage, intoxicated driver accountable. Not just for the damage he caused, but for the choices that led him there. It was about taking a hard look at enabling behavior, and making sure every piece of evidence was brought into the light.
It also showed the power of strategy, teamwork, and persistence. Mosier noted that with two attorneys on the case, there was more bandwidth, more creativity, and more momentum, especially when it mattered most.
Key Takeaways for Future Victims:
DUI Cases Aren’t Always Obvious, But They Can Be Proven
Just because law enforcement doesn’t investigate or pursue DUI charges at the scene doesn’t mean intoxication didn’t play a role. Through medical records, subpoenas, and investigative strategy, our attorneys were able to uncover and prove impairment when many others would have stopped digging.
“The way that I approach cases is to be the lawyer that I would want,” said Mosier. “Listen to your client, if they have details from the incident that the defendant may deny, still see if you could prove it.”
You Deserve to Be Heard, Even If Your Injuries Seem “Minor”
The plaintiff in this case did not suffer catastrophic injuries, but the emotional toll and the circumstances leading to the crash warranted significant compensation. Every victim deserves a full review of their rights and recovery options.
“I think it’s important to know that just because someone doesn’t have life-changing injuries doesn’t mean they can’t get a life-changing result,” said Howell.
“If you hire a lawyer, we’re going to look out for you. You owe it to yourself to have us review your case.”
Hurt in a Wreck? Joye Law Firm is Here for You
At Joye Law Firm, we believe that the pursuit of justice is a right afforded to anyone whose life has been disrupted by another’s reckless choices. Through determination, strategic evidence procurement, and experienced negotiation skills, Attorney Robert Howell and Lead Attorney Melissa Mosier held an underage drunk driver and the enablers around him accountable. At Joye Law Firm, we fight for more than just compensation; we fight for accountability, for healing, and for change.
If you or someone you love has been harmed by a drunk driver, hit-and-run crash, or any reckless conduct, don’t assume your injuries are too “minor” to matter. You deserve to be heard—and you deserve legal advocates who will go the distance for you.
Contact Joye Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We offer a No Fee Guarantee, which means you don’t pay us anything upfront, and you only owe attorney’s fees if we win your case. There’s nothing to lose by reaching out, but everything to gain when you have experienced attorneys on your side. Call us now at 888-324-3100 or contact us online to get started.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future results.
