BRUNSWICK COUNTY, North Carolina – Car accident due to driving while intoxicated claims the life of two men in Brunswick County.
A crash on June 14 leads to two fatalities as a result of drinking and driving. Hermilo Vargas and Emilino Ramirez were reported to have left a party after becoming intoxicated, leading Vargas to run off the road near Holden Beach.
Vargas was driving at about 80 miles per hour and hit an oak tree, causing the car to flip over numerous times. Both men were ejected from the car and were killed.
The passenger, Ramirez, had incurred a DUI five years ago and was mandated to have an interlock device on his car to ensure he remained sober.
Pauling Benton, Ramirez's former boss, remembers him fondly. "He's family, and we're all going to miss him very, very much."
Vargas’ family has not been contacted. He was an illegal immigrant and there has been no way to contact his loved ones. Vargas’ ex-girlfriend was the only person who was contacted regarding his death.
Ramirez’s family has not commented regarding whether or not they will solicit the help of an accident lawyer for the case. Although it was found that both men had been drinking, an accident lawyer will be more equipped to determine whether or not the family can receive compensation for Ramirez’s death.
Brunswick County ranks third in the state for deaths related to drunk driving accidents. The county is planning to implement stricter policies in order to avoid future accidents from taking place. One idea is to increase the number of checkpoints on the road and to enforce DUI penalties in a stricter manner.
