According to this article in the Orange County Register, a Fullerton woman died early Sunday, February 1, 2009, from injuries she suffered when a suspected DUI driver ran a red light and struck her car in La Habra. Officials with the La Habra Police Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the traffic accident around 1:30 a.m. and pronounced April Junhee Whang, 26, of Fullerton dead at the scene.
The crash is still under investigation but authorities say that Whang was southbound on Beach Boulevard in a 2004 Acura Integra and turned left onto eastbound Imperial Highway when it was struck by a 2003 Mazda 6. According to eyewitness accounts, the Mazda, driven by Brittany Deanne Schuetz, 20, of Irvine, failed to stop for a red light and struck Whang’s car at a high rate of speed. Schuetz was taken to UCI Medical Center for treatment and is being held by authorities on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter in California.
The State of California, in an effort to discourage driving under the influence, has stiffened fines and penalties in recent years for people convicted of DUI, felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter, and other DUI-related charges. Persons convicted of driving under the influence face steep fines, lengthy jail or prison time, revocation of driving privileges, community service, drug and alcohol classes and counseling, and other penalties.
If you or someone you care for is facing DUI charges of any kind, you should contact an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney to protect your rights, explain your options, and stand by your side in court and DMV hearings. The Los Angeles DUI lawyers at the criminal defense law firm, Sitkoff & Hanrahan, have over 60 years of combined experience representing clients charged with driving under the influence and will work hard on your behalf. For a free consultation with a top California criminal defense attorney, call 888.579.4844 today!