Intoxicated Woman Maims Her Driving Instructor
The driving career of Victoria Hosner could be over almost before it began, due to damages and injury from a very strange DUI case. Hosner, a resident of Naples, Florida, accidentally drove over the leg of her driving instructor and stepfather, David Tanner, while he was teaching her how to drive in front of her home.
According to police and eyewitness reports, Tanner was near the car when Hosner took the wheel for her lesson. Unfamiliar with the vehicle's gear and pedal system, she accelerated with the car in reverse while attempting to step on the brake, and the open door of the truck hit a surprised Tanner. Tanner fell and was run over by the truck's rear wheels, his leg bending at a right angle sideways as it caught underneath the truck. Hosner then continued backward out into the street, dragging Tanner along for the ride. The truck continued on, turning back into the house and hitting the side of the garage, where it caused significant damage to the structure.
When police arrived at the scene, they noticed that Hosner was visibly intoxicated, with a distinct smell of alcohol apparent on her breath. She could not successfully perform intoxication tests such as the one-leg balance exercise and a walk-and-turn test. A breathalyzer registered her blood alcohol content (BAC) at .146, almost twice the .08 legal limit in the state of Florida.
When paramedics reached the home, Tanner was airlifted to a hospital in Fort Myers, where, according to the Naples Daily News, doctors at first feared they might have to amputate his leg. He was released, however, a few days later. In addition to his leg trauma, Tanner also received a concussion.
Although she barely left the driveway of her home, the 30-year-old woman caused about $6,000 in damages to the truck and the garage on top of the injury to Tanner. Hosner was arrested and charged with DUI, two counts of DUI with damage to property or person, and driving without a license.
David Hosner, the woman's husband, claimed his wife was not drunk, only having consumed four glasses of wine that day. He was outraged that she was kept in jail cuffed in ankle bracelets.
Hosner's case is a reminder to all that a DUI can be charged even if the offender isn't on a main road or highway, and that even seemingly innocent activities such as backing up in your driveway can go completely wrong when under the influence of alcohol.
