California has several punishment enhancements that can be added to a DUI charge. The enhancements are not separate charges in addition to the DUI charge but are instead added on to the charge to increase the penalties. There are some common DUI enhancements and one of those is having a minor under the age of 14 in the vehicle.
Driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle cannot only lead to a sentence enhancement, but it can also lead to additional charges. Child endangerment, child neglect, and child abuse are commonly added to DUI charges when a minor is in the vehicle.
The Sacramento Bee reports that a six-year-old boy has been seriously injured in a suspected DUI accident where his mother was driving.
The crash occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday at Dewey Drive and Winding Way in the Sacramento area.
When California Highway Patrol officers arrived, they discovered that 26-year-old Gina Munipzguren and a 6-year-old boy were suffering from major injuries. The Mercedes that Muniozguren had been driving had crashed into a concrete wall.
It is suspected that the young child and Munioguren are mother and son since they share the last name, but the relationship has not been confirmed.
Police arrested Muniozguren on suspicion of DUI. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment on non-life-threatening injuries. The six-year-old boy was in critical condition on Sunday.
