Phoenix police arrested 46-year-old Michael Jakscht on suspicion of driving under the influence of methamphetamine after he allegedly caused an accident in his 24,000-pound dump truck on March 25. The accident involved 10 motorcycles.
But the Arizona Republic reports that Michael Jakscht faces more than just DUI charges. Because four people died in the collision and five more were injured, the man could now face four counts of manslaughter, five counts of aggravated assault, and seven counts of endangerment.
A Phoenix DUI attorney might not be too surprised that Michael Jakscht now has his bond set at $1 million dollars. Police documents indicate that that the man is unmarried, has changed his physical characteristics, does not have a job, or own a home locally. Hence, authorities believe there's a good chance that Michael Jakscht would flee if he was released.
Michael Jakscht also could face an additional impaired driving charge, if authorities can determine that there was the possibiltiy that he was high on illegal drugs at the time of the fatal crash. At the time of his arrest, police got a blood sample from the suspect, but the Arizona Republic reports that toxicology results can take up to six weeks to come in with most criminal investigations. While many people associate a DUI charge with alcohol consumption, people in Arizona can also be charged with DUI when they've shown signs of impairment from drugs when driving. FindLaw states that even the smallest trace of drug use through a blood sample can lead to a serious consequences for DUI.
Related Resources:
- Study: Meth #1 Drug Problem (FindLaw's Common Law Blog)
- State's High Court to Review DUI-Meth Case (Chicago DUI Blog)
- See an Arizona DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
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