Driver Admits To Using Meth Before Crash

Just like when a person drives under the influence of alcohol, driving while under the influence of drugs is considered a DUI charge. Most of the time, a DUI involving drugs is treated just like a DUI involving alcohol. However, it may proceed slightly differently than a DUI alcohol charge. It often begins when a police officer notices cues that a person is under the influence, such as driving erratically. At times, they may call in a specially trained officer, a drug-recognition expert, to determine if drugs are involved. If arrested, police will usually require a blood or urine sample to test for the presence of drugs. If drugs are found in the vehicle, there may additionally be possession charges.

CBS Local San Francisco reports on a man who admitted to using methamphetamine before a deadly crash.

Early Monday morning, 28-year-old Alexander Zumini led CHP officers on a high-speed chase through San Jose that ended tragically.

At about 3:15 a.m., CHP officers started following Zumini, noticing that he was driving his BMW erratically. They followed Zumini south on Highway 280 to southbound U.S. Highway 101 as he continued the erratic driving. When they attempted to pull Zumini over, he refused to stop and increased his speed to in excess of 100 m.p.h. At one point, he turned off his lights.

Zumini took the Yerba Buena Road off-ramp and ran the red light, plowing into a van with two men inside. The van had the green light when the collision occurred. The driver of the minivan died at the scene. The passenger in the van suffered from critical injuries.

Zumini attempted to flee from the scene on foot but was apprehended. His female passenger sustained injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.

Police allege that Zumini was overheard saying that he had taken some methamphetamine before driving.

Zumini had a felony arrest warrant for a parole violation. He will be charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing serious injury, felony hit-and-run, felony evading a police officer, and possession of methamphetamine.

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