This past Friday, January 13, expert toxicologist Jennifer Bash told jurors she feels Chicago Police Officer Richard Bolling was legally drunk at the time of his May 2009 crash, per The Chicago Red Eye. Richard is currently on trial for aggravated DUI, reckless homicide, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Officer Richard allegedly hit and killed a 13 year old boy on a bike, with his Dodge Charger. Richard was off duty at the time of the hit and run, and was pulled over shortly after for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Prosecutors alleged that Richard’s car had blood on it, a cracked windshield, and an open bottle of beer in the front console. Chicago accident attorneys Zneimer and Zneimer p.c. are experts in auto accident cases. Many of which are hit and run cases and DUI cases.
Jennifer’s findings are pivotal considering that even though Richard had an open beer in his car, and smelled of alcohol, he says he wasn’t intoxicated. Richard claims to have only had a couple drinks the night of the crash. He said he was speeding home munching on fast food when he saw the bicyclist coming toward him. After hitting the bicyclist, he said was in a state of shock and that’s what prevented him from calling 911. The night of the crash, Richard said he had 3 beers and two shots of vodka. However, now Richard is testifying that he had only one vodka drink and one beer drink. I would like to know why an off duty officer was speeding to begin with, regardless of being drunk or not?
What complicated the matter was that Richard wasn’t given a field sobriety test until 2 hours after the crash. Furthermore, he wasn’t given an actual breathalyzer test until 4 hours after the crash. That is why a forensic toxicologist was called to begin with. She estimated that Richard’s alcohol had to be as much as twice the legal limit at the time of the accident. Prosecutors claim that Richard was given preferential treatment from the other officers. It certainly does appear that way. Things do not look good for Richard Bolling. I think the average person can see that Richard was drunk at the time of the crash. Hopefully the jury makes the right decision, so justice can be served for little Trenton Booker. According to Chicago accident attorneys Zneimer and Zneimer, it is estimated that there are over 1,200 vehicle related fatalities a year in Illinois. If you have been in or affected by an auto accident, please contact accident attorneys Zneimer and Zneimer p.c. for a free personal injury consultation.