The state of California takes every DUI very seriously. If the DUI involves a death, the charges can quickly become very serious. A prosecutor can try a person involved in this kind of DUI in three ways. The first charge is vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, which can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The second charge is more serious; gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. This is always a felony charge. The third and rarest charge is DUI murder. It is also a felony and classified as a second-degree murder charge. This means that a person didn’t intend to kill someone, but they acted in a way that they were aware could put other lives at risk.
The Antelope Valley Press reports that a five-year-old girl was killed in a suspected DUI accident.
The accident occurred on Tuesday at about 8:45 p.m.
61-year-old George Kokoteev was behind the wheel of a 2006 Nissan Altima heading eastbound on Avenue O at 165th Street East. His vehicle drifted into the westbound lane of Avenue O. It crashed into a Nissan Altima with five occupants.
A five-year-old girl, who was a passenger in the Altima, was killed in the crash. Two other children, a three-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl were also injured. 26-year-old Tijera Taylor and Kion Phylow were injured as well. They were all taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
Kokoteev was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. He was also arrested on suspicion of DUI.
