California, like many states, has a zero tolerance law when it comes to driving under the influence while under the age of 21. You can be charged with DUI even if you have a minimal amount of alcohol in your system if you are not legally of age to drink. If you happen to be involved in an accident and injure someone while under the influence and underage, you may face serious charges. In some cases, if you happen to kill another motorist while driving while intoxicated, they can petition that you be tried as an adult. KTLA reports on a Murrieta teen sentenced to four years in prison for a DUI crash that killed another woman.
Taylor Suzzanne Channel was just 17-years-old when she drove through two red lights and crashed into another car, killing a 26-year-old nurse.
The fatal accident happened at about 9 p.m. on January 22, 2017. A police sergeant witnessed the crash as heavy rain fell.
Channel sped through one red light and as the officer attempted to catch up, she sped through another red light. 26-year-old Leah Reay was turning left with the green light when Channel slammed into her vehicle. Reay was killed on impact.
At the time of the accident, Channel was driving at 84 mph and was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
Normally, Channel would have been tried as a juvenile. The Riverside District Attorney’s Office was able to petition for her case to be tried as an adult.
On Friday, January 26, Channel pleaded guilty to felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated. On Thursday, February 1, Channel was sentenced to four years in prison.
