Posted on 05/06/2005 12:46:49 PM PDT by Mikey_1962
Police say one man is responsible for a car accident that killed a mother and her two small children. According to officials, the suspect was drunk when he slammed into the family’s car, and now he could face murder charges.
Officers told 7 Action News that they are investigating the events leading up to the accident. They want to know where the suspect spent his time beforehand, where he could become so intoxicated that his blood alcohol level was more than 5 times the legal limit.
Chief William Dwyer, of the Farmington Hills Police, said during a press conference, "Now what is shocking, very shocking, is his alcohol level was .43, which in many cases would be lethal."
People who know the Weinstein family are heartbroken and outraged that this could happen. 49-year-old Judith, 12-year-old Alex and 9-year-old Samuel, were all killed while on the way to the dentist.
The family’s car was rear ended by 48-year-old Thomas Keith Wellinger, who was driving an SUV. Wellinger is hospitalized in critical condition with a broken neck.
According to officials, Wellinger will soon be facing charges. "Charges ranging from OUIL, causing death, which is a 15 year felony," explained Chief Dwyer. "To other possible homicide charges, that the prosecutors’ office may consider."
Police told 7 Action News that they are unsure when Wellinger will be arraigned. He is still listed in critical condition at Beaumont Hospital.
Wellinger has no criminal record, and has never been arrested for driving while intoxicated. Officials do believe that Wellinger must have been drinking for a long time in the hours leading up to the accident.
He has been charged with murder.
His black box in his car showed he was travelling at 70mph without braking when he hit the car.
I thought beyond 0.41% was lethal.
"I thought beyond 0.41% was lethal."
In this case it was. X 3
terrible news.
He's probably been a lush for so long that he's built up a tolerance. Kind of like how Rasputin was able to survive lethal doses of arsenic--he'd been taking gradually increasing doses for years.
He started drinking in Traverse City, almost 250 miles away from the accident. Twelve hours later his blood alcohol level was still over .2!
According to the DETROIT NEWS he is going through Delirium Tremens while in the hospital so you are probably correct.
When I was a hospital pharmacist we had a fifth of Old Grandad for guys going through DT's. (Spiritus Frumenti)
I guess the summer home at Torch Lake is for sale...
well I thought anything over .30 is toxic but I think we had a native person who blew in the .40 range around town
usually then you are dealing with an alcoholic whose system is used to that much booze......
Here's hoping he's still drunk when his attorney asks if he wants a jury trial. It's because of judges murdering drunks are returned to our streets. Stricter sentencing with prison time and our children will be safer.
Sam was my son's best friend. He lived a few doors down and had a wonderful intensity to life. Sam was a fantastic athlete that could take on kids a foot and 1/2 taller than he was.
Mr Wellinger's son played on my son's tennis team a couple year's ago.
This has ripped apart a community and devasted what's left of the victim's families.
The Wellinger children are victims, the playmates of the Weinstein boys are victims, and most of all, Mr. Weinstein who spent the day planting trees in honor of his family today is a victim.
We have proven - as a society - we cannot solve the Drunken Driving problem. The government should take over now. They forced elaborate sensors and algorithms on our vehicles to meet the California Air Resource Board mandates.. now its time to mandate a "Vehicle Ethanol Sensor" that disables the starting of a vehicle.
I've heard enough stupid excuses against this. An algorithm that includes safety overrides can be developed ... How many more 9 yr. olds need to be thrown 20 feet and still try to hang onto life before someone steps in.
Even Bob Probert was "only" at a .31 when he wrecked at the end of his career with the Red Wings.
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