Even though recreational marijuana was made legal in California a couple of years ago, it is still to drive while under the influence of cannabis. In fact, if a person drives under the influence of any drug that affects their driving ability, they can be charged with DUI regardless of whether the drug is legal, legally obtained by prescription, over-the-counter medication, or illegal. A driver who is charged with this crime, commonly called DUI-drugs or DUID for short, faces the same consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. If people are injured or killed in an accident with a driver who was driving under the influence of drugs, that driver can face felony charges.
The Press-Enterprise reports that a 17-year-old girl has been killed in a suspected DUI-rollover crash in Moreno Valley.
The incident took place on Monday, May 4th according to the California Highway Patrol.
The accident report says that the crash took place just after 11:43 a.m. on Gilman Springs Road approximately about 1/4-mile from the intersection with Kevin Street.
18-year-old Jose Angel Perez was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe on the 60 Freeway when he was involved in a minor collision. Perez fled the scene and exited the freeway at Gilman Springs Road where he drove eastward at high speeds.
At some point, Perez lost control of the Tahoe, causing him to veer off the right side of the road. He then over-corrected to the left, which caused him to spin to the right. The vehicle overturned and flipped several times.
His passenger, 17-year-old Catalina Esteves died about 45 minutes later at Riverside University Health System Medical Center.
Perez is suspected to have been under the influence of marijuana. He is charged with DUID, gross vehicular manslaughter, and reckless driving causing death. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.
