Deadly Fremont Crash Blamed On Marijuana And No Seatbelts

Legally speaking, driving under the influence of marijuana is treated like a DUI while under the influence of any other drug. The now legalized status of marijuana in California does not make it legal to drive while under the influence of cannabis. In fact, any amount of marijuana that is detected in a blood or urine test can be submitted as evidence of guilt. Just like with an alcohol DUI, the penalties for a marijuana DUI can include jail time, suspension of license, and thousands of dollars in fines and fees. These penalties can be harsher if others are injured or property is damaged.

Fox 40 reports on a crash where marijuana is suspected to be the cause. The crash claimed three lives and injured five others.

39-year-old Noelle Johnson and 14-year-old Christy Limas and 9-year-old Brooke Limas were not wearing seatbelts when they were ejected from their SUV in a fatal crash on Tuesday, May 15th.

The accident occurred on the northbound 880 in Fremont near Stevenson Boulevard at about 9:30 p.m. Just moments before the accident took place, several 911 calls were made to report a speeding driver who was driving recklessly.

In total, five vehicles were involved in the crash. The injuries that Johnson and the Limas siblings sustained during the ejection were fatal. Johnson’s boyfriend, Chris Limas, and other children sustained injuries. One of Johnson’s children is still in critical condition.

According to family members, Johnson and Limas had celebrated the birthday of Johnson’s four-year-old son at the San Francisco Zoo.

The California Highway Patrol arrested 21-year-old Dang Nguyen Hai Tran of San Jose. It is believed that Tran was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident. He was scheduled for his first court appearance on May 16th.

 

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