Calera teenager injured after drunk driver causes car crash

CALERA, Ala. (WBRC) – Calera teens were seriously injured in a crash Saturday night.

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

Daniel Moreno is charged with drunk driving and multiple felonies.

This happened along Highway 31 and Whippoorwill Lane.

Chief David Hyche said this was a very scary situation that could have ended worse than it actually did.

His message to the community is to think twice before drinking and driving.

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

“One of our high school students was injured pretty badly, she had to be airlifted and there was another injury in addition to her own,” Hyche said.

Chief Hyche said it was an extensive investigation, but Moreno was arrested just hours after the accident. “We basically had to do a vehicular homicide investigation even though no one died. We have closed the road for an extended period of time and we hate to do that, but I hope citizens understand that this is a very serious crime that needs 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 want people to think about this before they get behind the wheel after drinking,” Hyche said.

Fortunately, no lives were lost in this accident, but those who choose to drive under the influence will be held responsible in Calera.

Hyche would like to thank the Shelby County Traffic Homicide Task Force and the Pelham and Alabaster police departments for their assistance in the investigation.

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