Man in Santa Ana Charged with DUI and Vehicular Manslaughter

A 37-year-old Orange County man has been arrested for felony driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter in connection with death of his passenger in a July 26 traffic accident. According to this news report in The Orange County Register, the defendant was driving an SUV on a Santa Ana street when he lost control and struck a tree. The SUV rolled over and the passenger was ejected and sustained fatal injuries.

Driving under the influence – whether it’s alcohol, recreational drugs or prescription drugs — is a serious crime in California especially when it involves a serious injury or fatality. A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges.

California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: “Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence.”

A DUI and vehicular manslaughter conviction could lead to a lengthy prison sentence, severe fines and other penalties that could have far-reaching consequences in your life. If you or a loved one has been accused of driving under the influence or vehicular manslaughter, please contact a skilled Orange County vehicular manslaughter defense lawyer at Sitkoff & Hanrahan for a free and comprehensive consultation and DUI case evaluation. We will analyze all the evidence and facts of the case, conduct a thorough and independent investigation and make sure your legal rights are protected. Dial 866-430-8383 today.

Source report: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-olmos-santa-2525609-passenger-driver

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