When people hear the phrase "intoxicated driver," they tend to picture someone who got drunk or high and then got behind the wheel. They don't usually think of someone who is simply a victim of his or her medication. Yet, the reality is that there are actually people out there who have been charged with driving under the influence ( DUI) because of medication that causes "sleep-driving." This occurs when a person ends up driving while he or she is partially asleep, with no memory of the event ever occurring (similar to sleepwalking).
This is not a made-up concept! In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even issued a public notice that warned about how certain sleep disorder (sedative-hypnotic) drugs can cause "complex sleep-related behaviors, which may include sleep-driving." The FDA asked manufacturers of all drugs falling under the sedative-hypnotic category to start using labels on their drug products that include more strongly worded warnings about these possible risks. To see the notice and the drugs that it listed, click here.
If someone takes a sleep disorder drug that does not provide proper warning of the possible sleep-driving side effect, that person might not truly be at fault if he or she ends up getting behind the wheel while asleep and while under the influence of the drug. Our skilled Lexington DUI attorney, James R. Snell, Jr., explained how he addresses these types of cases, which can lead to DUI charges.
"In order to defend a DUI defendant charged with 'sleep-driving,' we use expert medical testimony to explain our client's symptoms to the court, as well as educate them on the latest FDA warnings regarding these drugs," Attorney Snell said.
If your DUI charges are based on a sleep-driving incident caused by a sleep disorder drug, you should immediately consult with Attorney Snell at the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC. He can work on your behalf to gather evidence and show the court how you might have been a victim of a drug company's negligence. Contact our firm so we can help you build a strong criminal defense plan for your DUI case!