Fatal SUV Roll-Over Leads to Felony DUI

Shortly after midnight on a rainy Monday earlier this month, a man from San Diego lost his life when his car crashed into an SUV that had previously rolled over. The SUV driver is now facing a felony DUI charge.

The crash resulted in delays, as traffic had to be diverted into the carpool lanes.

According to authorities, the accident occurred in rainy conditions on Interstate 15. A crash report indicates that a 19-year-old driver lost control of her SUV and slammed into the dividing barriers between the carpool lanes and southbound I-15. The impact caused the vehicle to roll onto its roof. The driver suffered serious injuries, and paramedics transported her to a hospital in La Jolla.

The California Highway Patrol report says another sedan, driven by a 42-year-old man, could not avoid the wreck and smashed into the SUV. This driver did not survive the crash, and his death was declared at the accident scene. The driver of the SUV was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. The charges against her also include vehicular manslaughter while under the influence.

Source: Rancho Bernardo, CA Patch, “Man Killed In I-15 Wreck Identified“, May 9, 2017

Any California driver who faces such serious allegations will likely seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Such a professional can examine the charges, along with the available evidence, before devising a strategy to defend the felony DUI charge. If a conviction cannot be avoided, the lawyer will likely endeavor to achieve an outcome that will limit the severe consequences that are typically associated with DUI-related convictions.