Glendale Driver Charged with DUI in Los Angeles after Tanker Fire

A 25-year-old Glendale man was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) after his vehicle rear-ended a gas tanker, ultimately causing a major fire and shutting down the 134 Freeway. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, California Highway Patrol officials say the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and rear-ended the tanker’s trailer. The tanker struck a guardrail and overturned, bursting into flames along the shoulder, under the 134 connector to the southbound 5 Freeway. Both drivers escaped without injury, as did a passenger in the car.

Driving under the influence can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. The seriousness of a DUI charge usually depends on whether there were injuries, fatalities, or significant property damages. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The same section also states that it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

The consequences of a drunk driving charge can also be severe. First-time offenders could potentially face jail time, CA driver’s license suspension, mandatory alcohol education program, and installation of an ignition interlock device. The cost of a DUI can also add up very quickly in terms of court fees, fines, and insurance rate hikes.

A DUI conviction can adversely affect your life in more ways than one. The experienced Glendale drunk driving defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have a long and successful track record of defending DUI charges. Please contact us at (866) 430-8383 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

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