A 22-year-old man was taken to a hospital after his stalled vehicle was struck by a suspected drunk driver, reports Herald Net.

The unidentified man from Lynnwood sat in his disabled vehicle on the shoulder of I-405 after his car had stalled. Police say that a 39-year-old Snohomish woman lost control of her Volkswagen Jetta, crossed a fog line, and struck the stalled car. Authorities suspect that she was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The victim was injured and was taken to a Seattle hospital where he is listed in stable condition. The suspected drunk driver was also treated for minor injuries. She now faces DUI and vehicular assault charges.

Drunk driving is considered a serious crime in Washington State. The state has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country that can include mandatory minimum jail time even for a first time DUI offense. The rationale for the tough penalties is that a drunk driver poses a danger to many innocent drivers on the road like the victim in this accident.

However, you should know that just because you have been charged with a DUI, this does not mean that you are guilty of a crime. Sometimes, an accident is just an accident. Prosecutors bear the burden of proving that you were under the influence of alcohol and this can be difficult to prove. This is where an experienced DUI attorney can be of assistance. An experienced attorney can review the facts of your case and find weaknesses in the claim against you. Your attorney can also help develop your defense and can negotiate with prosecutors in reaching a favorable plea deal.

To learn how an experienced attorney can help you, contact the attorneys at Wolff Criminal Defense by calling 425-284-2000.