In any state, property damage often goes hand-in-hand with an accident, and while no additional criminal penalties may be added in a DUI accident where property was damaged, a judge may take the damage into consideration during sentencing. If convicted of the DUI, a person may also be held criminally liable to pay restitution for the damages. A person may also be subject to a DUI lawsuit in cases where property damage has occurred. DUI lawsuits to cover personal liability generally take place after the criminal proceedings have ended.
NBC Los Angeles reports on a suspected DUI accident where a car crashed into a home.
The accident occurred late Tuesday night in Redlands, California at a home near the intersection of Clay Street and Brockton Avenue.
Witnesses said the driver of a Dodge Challenger was racing against another car when the driver lost control. The car then crashed through the kitchen and the living room of the home of Lee Hernandez.
Hernandez grew up in the home with his parents and four sisters. His parents reportedly purchased the home in 1950 and Hernandez, along with his 87-year-old mother and 60-year-old sister, were in the home at the time of the crash.
On Wednesday, the home was declared unfit for habitation. Hernandez said that he plans on rebuilding the home.
Police said there was no evidence that the driver was racing or driving at excessive speeds. However, the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
