A 49-year-old Ventura man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after he drifted to opposing lanes of traffic, sideswiped a tow truck, and seriously injured the truck driver. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Jeffrey Barnes was driving on Ventura Boulevard near Sherwin Avenue in Ventura when his vehicle went across traffic lanes and hit the truck from Double R Towing. The tow truck driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of severe back injuries. Barnes also suffered injuries but was later arrested and booked into county jail for felony DUI, California Vehicle Code section 23153 (a).
Drunk driving charges can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the nature of the incident and the severity of injuries to the other parties. A felony drunk driving conviction can result in lengthy jail or prison time, stiff penalties, loss of driving privileges, probation, alcohol and drug counseling or community service. The costs associated with a DUI in Ventura County are also staggering – fines, attorneys fees, insurance rate hikes and so on.
There are many facets to a DUI investigation. Please do not try to do it all yourself. It takes knowledgeable and experienced Ventura DUI defense attorneys to analyze all aspects of a Ventura DUI case, determine what occurred and present a strong defense in your case.
If you or a loved one has been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in Ventura, please contact Sitkoff & Hanrahan for a free consultation. We will work hard to make sure that you have a positive outcome in your case and that you avoid the severe consequences that usually come with a DUI conviction. Call 866-299-4111 for a free and confidential evaluation.