Drunken driving was believed to be a factor in a two-vehicle accident that sent a father and his 3-month-old son to the hospital Wednesday evening, St. Joseph police said.
Stephan Szczepanik, 44, of St. Joseph, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and cited for careless driving after running into the back of another vehicle on Eighth Street near Sylvanie Street, St. Joseph police said. The accident occurred just before 7 p.m.
Heather Chowning, 35, of St. Joseph was traveling north on Eighth Street when her Toyota was struck from behind by a Dodge driven by Mr. Szczepanik, said St. Joseph police Officer Wayne Byrom.
Mrs. Chowning’s husband, Michael, 45, and 3-month-old son James were transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center in an ambulance, police said. A spokeswoman for Heartland said their conditions were still being evaluated late Wednesday.
watch out, our brilliant prosecutor will probably try to charge this woman and her husband with child endangerment.
Posted by misty120s on July 24, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)Isnt it always the victoms in the wrecks that are hurt and sent to the hospital or WORSE, and the DRUNKS always walk away uninjured? Why is that?
Posted by wickedtruth on July 24, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)Because they are so pickled that the brain doesn't realize there's a problem. I've heard it said more than once "If he'd been sober, he would've been really hurt." I just don't get how this is medically possible. Maybe there's truth to it. Who knows? I hope the Chowning family is okay.
Posted by deb2007 on July 24, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)when you are drunk, you don't tense up, you are relaxed. have you ever been around someone who is inebriated and who couldnt hold their arm straight out if their life depended on it. when you see you are going to be hit, you tense up.
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