One DUI charge can land a person in a lot of trouble. That trouble can compound if accidents or injuries are involved, or if the driver attempts to evade police. If the driver has been previously convicted of a DUI, charges can become even worse.
Prosecutors filed charges on Wednesday, July 20 against a suspected DUI driver who triggered a three-vehicle crash the previous Monday. The crash injured ten people including a toddler and the driver himself.
26-year-old Robert Anthony Lopez of La Puente was charged with multiple charges. The charges include fleeing a pursuing officer’s motor vehicle causing serious bodily injury, one count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, one count of driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 causing injury within 10 years of another offense, and one count of driving when privilege suspended or revoked after a prior offense.
According to the prosecution, they allege that Lopez had been convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or more in 2015.
The crash leading to the charges took place Monday evening, July 18. Lopez was witnessed by a police officer speeding and failing to stop at a stop sign. Police tried to stop Lopez, but he failed to pull over and increased his speeds.
While driving westbound on Francisquito Avenue, Lopez ran another stop sign and struck a Nissan Maxima heading north on Walnut Avenue. The Maxima spun out of control and then crashed into a Ford Expedition traveling south on Walnut.
Lopez was injured in the collision. The driver of the Nissan, along with her 7-year-old and 19-month-old daughters were also injured. The driver of the Expedition and five passengers inside were also injured in the accident.
If you have been charged with DUI, it is important that you have legal representation. Our attorneys specialize in the defense of DUI charges. Contact us today.