In California, being convicted of subsequent DUI charges after the first charge often comes with escalating penalties. In order to be convicted of consecutive DUI charges, the charges must occur within 10 years of the previous charges. For example, if you have had 3 DUI convictions within 10 years and face a 4th charge, the penalties grow. A 4th DUI is automatically given felony status, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the charge. If people are injured or killed, the fact that it is a subsequent DUI can be seen as an enhancement charge. CBS Local San Francisco and ABC 7 News both report on a man facing both murder and a 4th DUI charge.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a man has been arrested after an accident on Highway 880 on Sunday morning.
At about 2:24 a.m., a two-car collision occurred. One of the victims in that crash exited his vehicle and was struck by an allegedly intoxicated driver.
The driver, identified as 56-year-old Maury Butler, was driving a white Lexus sedan. He was pulled over after the accident and is suspected of being intoxicated. This is Butler’s 4th DUI charge and he was driving on a suspended license.
The victim has been identified as 19-year-old Jesuan Benson-Garrett.
Butler is being charged with suspicion of murder and felony DUI. Because of the multiple DUI convictions, Butler is also facing enhancement charges.
