It is a traumatic event for all involved when an intoxicated driver causes a crash that kills another person. This is one of the most serious DUI charges in California that a person can face. The charges that a driver in this situation may find themselves facing are gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI murder. At times, the prosecutor will charge the driver with both offenses.
Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the more common of the two charges. The possible penalty for this charge is a term of 4, 6, or 10 years in state prison. When it comes to DUI murder, it is a second-degree murder charge. It is punishable by a term of 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
The Fresno Bee reports that a suspected DUI driver ran a red light and hit a motorcyclist, killing him.
The crash occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday in Visalia.
Police said that 42-year-old Bryan Buhl did not stop for a red light at Caldwell Avenue and West Street. He hit a motorcyclist whose name was not released. At the time of the crash, Buhl was executing a U-turn.
The motorcyclist was traveling east on Caldwell Avenue and had the green light. He was taken to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Police suspect that Buhl was driving while intoxicated. Officers said that he admitted to running the traffic light and consuming alcohol. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
The crash is still under investigation.
