Calera teens injured after drunk driver causes car crash

CALERA, Ala. (WBRC) – Calera teenagers were seriously injured in a wreck Saturday evening.

Calara’s police chief says the accident was caused by a drunk driver.

Daniel Moreno is facing a charge of driving under the influence and several misdemeanors.

This happened along Highway 31 and Whippoorwill Lane.

Chief David Hyche said this was a very frightening situation that could have turned out worse than it did.

His message to the community is: think twice before driving under the influence.

Everything seemed normal for two teenagers in Calera as they were leaving their homecoming when a car suddenly veered into their lane and caused an accident.

“One of our high school students was injured quite seriously. She had to be life-flight and there was another injury besides hers,” Hyche said.

Chief Hyche said it was an extensive investigation, but Moreno was arrested just hours after the accident. “We actually had to conduct a traffic homicide investigation, even though no one was killed. We have closed the road for an extended period of time and we hate to do that, but I hope the citizens understand that this was a very serious crime that needed to be investigated.”

Moreno’s charges include driving under the influence, first- and third-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident.

“The real tragedy is the damage to the victims and their families. I would like people to think about that before they get behind the wheel after drinking,” Hyche said.

Fortunately, no lives were lost in this accident, but those who choose to drink and drive will be held accountable in Calera.

Hyche thanks the Shelby County Traffic Homicide Task Force, Pelham and Alabaster police departments for their assistance in the investigation.

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