Articles Posted in Uncategorized

On Saturday afternoon January 30, a Delray Beach man reportedly plowed through seven vehicles on Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach as they were stopped at a red light. According to news reports, 47-year-old James Dean Martin was driving under the influence when the incident occurred.

Martin allegedly attempted to navigate his Ford pick-up between two lanes of traffic that were stopped at the light; Boynton Beach police were called to the intersection after witnesses reported the incident. Police charged Martin with DUI and driving on a suspended license. He was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

None of the motorists were injured in the incident, however spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said victims and witnesses had to detain Martin until police arrived on the scene.

On Sunday evening, a sheriff’s deputy was marking a DUI arrest in Hillsborough County when his parked patrol car was struck by a car driven by an impaired driver. News reports say the incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. in Tampa. The driver of the vehicle who sideswiped the patrol car, 49–year-old Todd M. Casey, kept going. Deputies did catch up with Casey.

Sheriff’s deputies were in the process of arresting 36-year-old Michael Probst when the incident occurred. When deputies did apprehend Casey, they noticed his speed was slurred, that he smelled of alcohol, and had red, glassy eyes. Upon administering breath tests, it was found that Casey’s BAC (blood alcohol content) registered .181 percent on one test and .196 percent on another. In Florida, the legal limit is .08 percent, therefore Casey’s BAC was more than twice the legal limit.

Casey was cited for not moving over when passing an emergency vehicle; he was charged with DUI with property damage.

Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year for children and teens (and even some adults), but it can also be one of the most dangerous occasions. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, Halloween is the one day of the year when children’s’ risk of being struck by a car and killed doubles. As a parent, it’s important to keep your children and yourself as safe as possible so you can enjoy Halloween again next year.

Our unofficial firm mascot, Waldo, dressed in his “Peppy the Pirate” costume.

Whether a child or adult, it’s fun dressing up in costume and trick-or-treating door to door, or attending a Halloween party at someone’s home, a church, or other location. The Michigan State Police reminds everyone to be extra cautious, and to be aware of the potential risks. Here are a few tips for trick-or-treaters:

On July 26, 31-year-old Thomas Ripp was placed on emergency suspension from the New Orleans Police Department after crashing his unmarked police car while allegedly intoxicated in Lake Vista, according to several news reports.

Ripp was assigned to the Homicide Division, and has been with the department for eight years. He was off-duty when he crashed into a cement light pole after striking a curb at approximately 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, according to police.

Although results of a blood test conducted on Ripp were not revealed, NOPD spokesman Tyler Gamble said that Ripp did test over the legal limit for alcohol. He was treated for minor injuries which were not disclosed at a local hospital before being advised of his rights and arrested. No one was in the vehicle with Ripp when the accident occurred.

Last weekend we celebrated National Pet Day, and there is no better time to feature the most-loved pets (AKA “children,” coworkers, friends, and confidants) of attorneys. Without further ado:

Clyde and Cleo (left) and Wiggles (AKA Wiggly Monster) (right) from Luke Ciciliano of SEO for Lawyers.

Chloe from Albert Krawczyk of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

Thanksgiving week often marks the beginning of holiday shopping for many people. While Black Friday was traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year, it seems that people are taking to the stores (both online and off) earlier every year. Why wait until the day after Thanksgiving, when merchants are offering great buys earlier? At Grabel & Associates, we have a few tips to help ensure your shopping adventures are safe, and hopefully enjoyable.

While you may be cheery and filled with the holiday spirit, would-be thieves are anxiously awaiting their chance to catch you off guard. When shopping in brick-and-mortar stores (offline), keep these tips in mind:

Shop in pairs; this makes you a more difficult target for thieves.

It’s the most exciting day of the year for many Michigan residents – opening day of deer season! On November 15, tens of thousands of hunters will take to the woods in pursuit of that ‘monster buck.’ While hunting is a fun and enjoyable sport for men and women alike across the country, safety should be your number one priority. Every year, about 1,000 people are injured in hunting accidents in the U.S. and Canada, according o the International Hunter Education Association. Of those 1,000, nearly 100 individuals die from their injuries.

At Grabel & Associates, we want you to be safe in 2014. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind while you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature:Every firearm should be treated as if it is loaded, regardless of whether it is or not. Many accidents occur because those handling a firearm “thought” it was unloaded.

– Make certain the muzzle of your firearm is pointing in a safe direction, such as down at the ground.

Halloween was once upon a time a safe holiday; today, the dangers lurk around every corner. Whether you’re a parent whose children will be out and about this Halloween Friday, or a motorist who wants to avoid a potentially tragic accident, we have a few safety tips that we thought you may find useful.

Our unofficial firm mascot, Waldo, wishes everyone a happy and safe Halloween!

For Children and Parents

Shanna Shaw, an MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) bus driver, had her driver’s license revoked following a

Photo by MBTA

crash on May 18 that sent nine individuals, including Shaw, to the hospital for treatment of injuries. According to CBS Boston, all suffered only minor injuries in the crash that was said to be caused by a sneeze.

Shaw claimed that her sneezing caused the crash, however she also admitted that at the time, she had a cell phone in one hand and another object in the other hand. The crash took place at around 7:30 that morning, leaving the bus and its occupants teetering over the Massachusetts Turnpike after plunging through the guardrail.

Shaw’s license was revoked following a request on Wednesday by MBTA Transit Police who requested the revocation under the Immediate Threat Provision. As a result of the license revocation, Shaw’s employment has been suspended and she will not receive pay. She has also been charged with obstruction of justice, driving to endanger, speeding, and impeded operation. Passengers of the bus claim that prior to the accident, Shaw was talking on her cell phone and rummaging through her purse. Continue reading