A driving under the influence charge in California is generally charged as a misdemeanor. However, there are certain instances when the DUI can be charged as a felony. One of those circumstances is if the DUI caused another party serious injury or resulted in the death of another person.
Another time a DUI can be charged as a felony is if the DUI is a person’s fourth DUI within a ten-year period. Another way that a DUI can be a felony is if the person has a previous felony DUI conviction.
No matter the circumstances of the DUI, a felony DUI is a serious charge. The Sacramento Bee reports on a man facing DUI charges as well as a felony hit-and-run.
Last Thursday, August 2nd, Kevin Lee Schanz was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident that occurred in Hollywood Park.
57-year-old Peggy Reader was crossing the street when Schanz struck her. Police responded to a call regarding the accident around 8 a.m. Attempts were made to resuscitate Reader, but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Schanz tried to walk away from his vehicle, but was caught by police.
The 63-year-old Schanz will be facing charges of felony hit-and-run causing death, DUI, vehicular manslaughter, and violation of parole.
This is the second fatal pedestrian accident this year for Hollywood Park. In January, a 71-year-old woman was killed crossing Freeport Boulevard.
Police planned on having a sobriety checkpoint on Freeport Boulevard on Friday.
