A majority of DUI suspects are arrested by police before they can become involved in an accident. However, when an accident does occur as a result of a DUI, California courts treat it more seriously than other DUIs. This is especially true when an accident results in the injury or death of another person.
DUI causing injury is known as a wobbler offense. This means that it can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony charge. For minor crashes with no or minor injuries, the charge is usually a misdemeanor. However, for serious injuries, the charge may become a felony. It may also be charged as a felony if the driver has a previous conviction for a felony DUI causing injury offense.
KTLA reports that a DUI is suspected after a solo vehicle crash in Inglewood that left a passenger dead.
The accident occurred shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Sunday at Manchester and 11th Avenues.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found that a single vehicle had been involved with a collision into a tree. The passenger in the vehicle, identified only as a male, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver, also identified only as a male, was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. An investigation revealed that the driver was allegedly operating the vehicle while under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol.
Inglewood Police are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the accident to come forward or submit an anonymous tip.
