A 21-year-old Santa Monica woman faces DUI (driving under the influence) charges after being involved in a fatal Los Angeles car accident. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the alleged DUI accident occurred on the 10 Freeway near Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. Officials say the Audi the woman was driving was traveling at a high rate of speed when it rear-ended a freight truck. A Scion then struck the Audi and the two women in the Audi were trapped. The 20-year-old passenger in the Audi was killed and the 21-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.
Under California law, driving under the influence is typically a misdemeanor offense. There are cases, however, in which a DUI incident can result in felony charges. Drivers who are responsible for causing serious injury or death to another will likely face felony charges. Drivers who have previously been arrested for three or more misdemeanor DUIs or who have a prior felony DUI conviction will face felony charges as well.
Felony DUI charges in Los Angeles include driving under the influence causing injury, DUI vehicular manslaughter, and DUI second-degree murder. All of these charges can result in jail time, heavy fines, license suspensions, the establishment of a criminal record, and probation. Anyone facing these types of serious consequences will need representation from an experienced DUI defense attorney.
The reputed DUI accident defense lawyers at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have a proven track record of successfully handling felony DUI cases. We offer no-cost consultations at (866) 430-8383 to anyone who has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.