Although drunk driving crashes have declined over the past three decades, they still claim more than 10,000 lives per year. This amounts to about 30 people each day in the United States. Every state has set a blood-alcohol content threshold of 0.08% or lower to determine if a driver is legally intoxicated. Driving while under the influence of a drug, whether it is legal or not is also considered to be a DUI. In California, when someone is killed in a drunk driving crash, the driver responsible may find themselves facing manslaughter or murder charges, depending on their criminal history and the circumstances of the accident.
KSBY reports that a suspected DUI crash on Highway 154 has resulted in one person dead and three injured.
The crash occurred on Thursday night at about 6 p.m. in the area of Santa Barbara.
According to a preliminary report from the California Highway Patrol, Brian W. Dul crossed into oncoming traffic while traveling on Highway 154 just east of San Marcos Road.
The Mazda 3 that he was driving slammed into a Toyota 4-Runner.
Dul suffered from moderate injuries. The crash is believed to be DUI-related. His passenger, 21-year-old Cole Debortoli, was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver and passenger in the other vehicle, identified only as a couple from Long Beach, received minor injuries.
Police arrested Dul on charges of DUI, though those charges may be upgraded.