In the News: UM Student in Deadly DUI Car Crash Fails Drug Test; May Get Longer Sentence

Twenty-one year old University of Miami student, Ivanna Villanueva, turned herself in Tuesday to start serving her prison sentence for a deadly drunk driving accident. She arrived at the Miami-Dade courthouse for a final hearing before she would officially surrender. As part of the process, she was required to take a drug test.  Villanueva was unable to complete the first test. During a second test, the result tested positive for a banned substance.

This could be a problem for Villanueva, who had received a reduced sentence for her involvement in a 2011 accident that claimed the life of 68 year old Eyder Ayala. The charge would normally carry a 20 year prison sentence.

The terms of Villanueva’s plea deal include three years in prison, fifteen years of probation and one thousand hours of community service. Villanueva will also have to make a donation to Mothers Against Drunk Driving on the anniversary of Ayala’s death.

However, if Villanueva fails to pass the drug test, her sentence could dramatically change. It will be up to Villanueva to prove that she received a prescription for the substance from her doctor. If she cannot, Villanueva could serve up to 15 years in prison.

The accident occurred at the intersection of LeJeune Road and Majorca Avenue. According to police, Villanueva was driving at a high rate of speed when she slammed into the rear Ayala’s car. Toxicology tests showed Villanueva’s blood alcohol content was .231, which is nearly triple the legal limit of .08. Ayala, a mother to five and grandmother to seven, died at the scene.

The hearing was re-set for today, where a full analysis of the test result will be presented in court.

Blood Alcohol Level

Alcohol use effects a person’s behavior and functioning. When a person begins to consume more alcohol than their body can eliminate (i.e. more than one drink per hour) their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) begins to rise. Here is a rundown on the effect on the body due to increasing BAC.

The effects of alcohol use at a BAC of .03 to .12 include:  a feeling of euphoria, slurred speech, flushed skin, and delayed reflexes. A person with this BAC may become more daring, have a shorter attention span, and exhibit poor judgment.

The effects of alcohol use at a BAC of 0.09 to 0.25 include: fatigue, poor coordination, blurry vision, and problems with balance. A person with this BAC may have trouble remembering even recent events and have a slow reaction time.

The effects of alcohol use at a BAC of 0.18-0.30 include: confusion, dizziness, and slurred speech. A person with this BAC may be highly emotional-either aggressive or overly affectionate, and they may have a delayed reaction to pain.

The effects of alcohol use at a BAC of 0.25 to 0.4 include: loss of consciousness, inability to move or respond to stimuli, vomiting, and inability to stand or walk.

Ivanna Villanueva’s blood alcohol content was 0.231, which means her motor skills were likely severely impaired.

If you or someone you know is in need of alcohol or drug addiction treatment,please give us a call at 800-951-6135.

Sources:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/18/3458496/um-student-in-fatal-dui-crash.html

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/06/18/former-um-student-begins-sentence-for-deadly-dui-crash/