This last February, a fatal Franconia car crash occurred, involving an Alexandria man who was allegedly driving under the influence in northern Virginia.

Sadly, his passenger was killed in the accident, and Joseph Shuttleworth, the 21-year-old driver, was faced with a single count of involuntary manslaughter.

According to Fairfax County police, Adrian Cardozo, 21, was the passenger killed in this accident. Police indicated that Shuttleworth was driving eastbound on Franconia Road at high speed when his car went off the road and struck a utility pole. Both Shuttleworth and Cardozo were ejected from the car in this accident that occurred around 2:10 a.m. near Guilford Drive.

Both were taken to area hospitals for medical treatment, but Cardozo died from the injuries sustained in the crash less than a week later.

On Thursday, May 5, 2011, Shuttleworth was charged with drunk driving and involuntary manslaughter for this fatal crash that occurred earlier this year. His preliminary hearing is set for June 20.

If you have been charged with drunk driving in Virginia, please contact an experienced Northern Virginia drunk driving lawyer at the Wilson Law Firm regarding this serious offense. Call (703) 361-6100 today.