Methods for the collection of blood, urine, bile and alcohol washes of face and fingers from fatally injured drivers have been developed. Specimens were supplied by coroners and medical examiners from fatally injured drivers. Methods for analysis of blood, urine and bile for 44 commonly abused drugs were developed. The analytical results indicated that 58% of the drivers had ingested alcohol, and 47% of the drivers were legally drunk. Thirteen percent of the drivers evidenced the presence of a prescription drug. Over 5% of the drivers evidenced the presence of a prescription drug in the absence of alcohol.
Abstract