Anyone in Myrtle Beach who is convicted of drunk driving can face serious penalties, including time behind bars. A young man from North Myrtle Beach could face those penalties after being involved in an apparent drunk driving accident that left on person dead. The 21-year-old driver now faces felony DUI charges.

The accident occurred earlier this month. According to police, the 21-year-old man was driving his vehicle when he hit a ditch and a light pole. The force of the accident was strong enough to throw a 34-year-old woman from the vehicle. She died at the scene of the crash. A 24-year-old man who was also riding in the car at the time was injured. It appears that no one was wearing a seatbelt.

As of Monday, the 21-year-old driver was being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on $100,000 bond. In addition to felony DUI charges resulting in death, he also faces felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury. He also faces a failure to appear charge likely stemming from a previous, unrelated incident.

The young man in this case would benefit from the advice and guidance of an experienced attorney. An attorney can examine all of the evidence in a case, and determine the best course of action. In addition to mounting a strong defense against the drunk driving charges, an attorney can also be sure that an individual's rights are protected throughout the entire process.

Although it is easy to jump to conclusions, it is important to remember in all cases that an individual remains innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law. The young man in this case, as well as others, has the right to a strong defense, as well as a fair trial.

Source: The Sun News, "Bond set for North Myrtle Beach man in fatal crash," Tonya Root, Jan. 23, 2012