Paul Zangla, 45, of Quincy, was arrested on Massachusetts Drunk Driving Charges after being rescued from his burning car following a crash. He was charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
According to the Quincy Police Department, officers responded to the scene of an accident and observed a man tending to a man, later identified as Paul Zangla, near the scene of a burning car. Officers reported that Zangla was unconscious and was falling in and out of sleep. Zangla reportedly had no perception of his surroundings and was inquiring what had happened to his car.
The witness who was on scene told officers that he was home sleeping when he heard a loud bang. Going out to investigate, he reportedly saw that a car had crashed into a dump truck and had caught on fire. The man then said he pulled Zangla out of the burning car and tended to him until police arrived.
Quincy Police charged Paul Zangla with OUI Drugs alleging that his speech was slurred and that Zangla allegedly admitted to injecting heroin the night before.
First off, there is a serious question whether any statements Zangla made at the scene of the accident, where he clearly suffered injuries and was falling in and out of consciousness were “knowingly and voluntarily” made. Secondly, where the accident reportedly occurred at 5:48 a.m., the cause attributable may be as much on sleep deprivation than anything else.
…and lastly, where there are no witnesses to corroborate any other indicia of impaired operation as a result of ingestion of drugs, I would venture to guess that the government’s prosecution against Paul Zangla has some deficiencies.
Boston DUI Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis is available 24/7 for consultation on all Massachusetts Drunk Driving Law Violations, including Operation of a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs.
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