While manslaughter and murder are similar charges, manslaughter is the less serious charge because there was no intention to kill someone. When attached to a DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated may be a charge that a person will find themselves facing. If that person has a previous DUI, they may find themselves facing a murder charge as well, known as a “Watson” murder. Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated requires that a person dies in the accident and the driver of the vehicle be intoxicated and have committed another traffic offense or otherwise be acting legally during the accident. The San Benito Freelance reports on a man facing several charges in an alleged DUI accident.
30-year-old Jesus Mora of Hollister is facing numerous charges in connection with the February 25th accident that claimed the life of one of his sons and seriously injured another.
On that day, Mora was driving westbound on McCloskey Road in a GMC SUV with his two sons in the front seat. Mora left the roadway and collided with a utility pole. His 5-year-old son was pronounced dead at the scene. His 7-year-old son was flown to a hospital with serious injuries. At the time of the accident, authorities suspected Mora of having been intoxicated and arrested him.
This was not the first time that Mora had been suspected of driving while under the influence. On November 27, 2017, Mora was arrested under suspicion of DUI and that DUI had additional enhancements for having a previous DUI within the previous 10 years.
Mora is currently in custody at the San Benito County Jail with bail set at $1 million. He is facing charges including murder, gross vehicular manslaughter without malice aforethought, child endangerment, DUI within 10 years of a previous DUI offense, and driving on a suspended license.
His next hearing that will cover both the November incident and the February 25th accident will be held on April 10th.
