In California, a driver must remain at the scene of an accident if it involves property damage or injury or death. If they flee from the scene, it is considered a hit and run. If the hit and run involves a DUI, the California legal system takes it very seriously. A DUI and a hit and run will be separate charges. If convicted, the driver will face the penalties for both charges. If the DUI hit and run involved injuries or death, the hit and run will be a felony. The DUI charge will depend upon the seriousness of the injuries. The penalties for felony hit and run involving injury or death is 2-4 years in state prison. The penalties for the DUI charge can vary widely, depending on the severity of the accident and the seriousness of the injuries.
KTLA reports that a La Puente man has been accused of a DUI hit and run in fatal crash on the 60 Freeway.
42-year-old Kaj Faaborg is accused of DUI and hit and run charges in an accident that occurred at 10 p.m. on January 10th. Faaborg was driving a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 Promaster Van when he failed to stop when traffic halted ahead of him. He slammed into the back of a 2004 Ford Mustang, which then burst into flames. The Ford was pushed into a 2006 Honda Odyssey which also caught fire. The Honda then collided with the rear of a 2010 Toyota Camry.
The man behind the wheel of the Honda managed to climb out of his minivan while it was burning. He suffered from severe burns to his face and limbs. The driver of the Ford died at the scene. He has not yet been identified.
Faaborg fled the scene, but police tracked him down quickly nearby and arrested him.
Faaborg’s bail was set at $1,000,000.
