An 18-year-old man was arrested following a fatal Orange County car accident, while officials are still determining whether or not alcohol or recklessness contributed to the accident. The Orange County Register reports that the fatal car accident occurred on Ortega Highway near Caspers Park in San Juan Capistrano. Officials say the man drove his pickup off the roadway and into a tree. A woman in her 40s who was riding in the pickup was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The teenage driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter. An investigation is ongoing.
A driver who is determined to have been at fault for a fatal accident may face vehicular manslaughter charges. Evidence of reckless driving or intoxication can result in even more serious charges. California Penal Code 191.5 (b) states, “Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle … and the killing was … the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act.”
Following a fatal car accident, an experienced DUI defense attorney should be brought on board immediately. Having quality legal representation on your side can make or break your case. The resulting penalties for vehicular manslaughter are severe, especially when alcohol is a factor in the crash. If convicted, a defendant could face lengthy prison time, hefty fines, and other life-changing penalties.
The skilled criminal defense lawyers in Orange County at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have many years of experience handling DUI cases involving serious injuries and fatalities. If you or a loved one has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, please call our offices at (866) 430-8383 to discuss your case at no cost.