As opposed to a regular DUI where a person is just pulled over by police or even a DUI that involves an accident that hurt someone, a DUI that claims another life is much more serious. The prosecutors and judge will likely try to blame everything on the intoxicated driver. A person who drives while intoxicated and kills someone may be charged with either vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, or second-degree murder. While the first charge may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, the latter two charges are always felonies. They can all carry a significant amount of jail and probation time.
The Fresno Bee reports that an Oakland man is suspected of DUI following a fatal head-on collision. On the day after Christmas, a 33-year-old man was behind the wheel of a Kia Soul westbound on Avenue 384. He crossed over the center lines, slamming head-on into a Chevy Astro just after 6 a.m.
The driver of the van and four female passengers were all taken to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries. A 59-year-old woman who was seated in the middle seat died from her injuries. All of the passengers were from Fresno.
The driver of the Kia also suffered from serious injuries. He was airlifted to the hospital. When the driver is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility to face DUI charges.
No names were released by the California Highway Patrol.
