Blackwell, 36, has previously been charged five times in Durham Countywith impaired driving, and 21 times for driving with a revoked license.His license has been permanently revoked since 1989.
Megan Dail's mother is not the only person wondering what Blackwell wasdoing behind the wheel with such a driving record.
Janie Ashworth was a witness to Thursday's accident. She says Blackwelleven tried to leave the scene.
Karyn Brown of Mothers Against Drunk Driving told WRAL-TV5'sAmanda LambFriday that there should betougher laws and tougher penalties.
The Division of Motor Vehicles says the pickup truck involved in theaccident was not registered to Blackwell, but to a relative whose licensehad been suspended since 1984.
In North Carolina, it is legal own, register and have a vehicle inspectedeven if the owner doesn't have a drivers license.
Blackwell now faces myriad charges in connection withThursday's accident -- in addition to the murder charge, he faces drivingwhile intoxicated, driving with a revokedlicense, driving left of center, driving withan open container and possession of drugparaphernalia, all in connection with the Thursday morning crash.
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