All DUI charges are considered to be serious under California law. Although a simple DUI is most likely to be a misdemeanor, the situation can change very quickly when an accident is involved. In cases when the accident causes only property damage or minor injuries, the DUI may still be considered a misdemeanor. However, if the injuries are serious, the driver could face a charge of DUI causing serious injury, which is a felony. This charge would be added to any other charges, including the DUI charge. The penalty for conviction of felony DUI causing injury is up to three years in jail, up to $5,000 in court fines, and a license suspension for up to three years.
Edhat Santa Barbara reports that a man has been arrested for an alleged DUI hit-and-run accident.
Deputies and first responders came to a call at about 9:56 p.m. on April 26th to the area of Calle Real at Violet Lane. At the scene, they found that a bicyclist had been hit by a vehicle that was no longer at the scene.
An investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect were both traveling eastbound on Calle Real when the suspect struck the bicyclist. The suspect fled from the scene and did not stop to render aid or contact authorities.
The victim was pronounced deceased before deputies arrived.
The suspect vehicle was located on Camino Del Sur in Isla Vista approximately thirty minutes later. 20-year-old Nicholas Barker was taken into custody. His is facing charges of hit-and-run causing injury or death, involuntary vehicular manslaughter, and driving under the influence causing injury.
Barker was booked into the Main Jail on a $1,000,000 bail.
During the investigation into the hit-and-run accident, one of the deputies’ patrol car was struck by another vehicle in an unrelated accident. No one was inside the vehicle at the time.
