Any DUI is a serious offense. In California, if a DUI involves the death of another person, it can be particularly serious. The prosecutor can charge a suspect with any one of the following charges: vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, which can be either a misdemeanor or a felony; gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, a felony; or second-degree murder, a felony. Some prosecutors will charge a suspect with all three to see what sticks. A person facing any of these charges would benefit from an experienced DUI attorney’s advice.
CBS Local Los Angeles reports on an elementary school principal facing murder charges stemming from a fatal DUI crash.
On November 15th, 35-year-old Mary Kruppe of Pearblossom was driving a 2014 Jeep Wrangler south on 50th Street East. She lost control of the vehicle and veered into southbound lanes. She hit a 2010 Mazda 3 being driven by 29-year-old Jessica Ordaz of Lancaster.
Ordaz died at the scene of the accident. Kruppe suffered moderate, but non-life-threatening injuries. She was taken to a hospital for treatment and was arrested after she was released. Police believe that Kruppe was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Kruppe was booked last Saturday on charges of murder.
Kruppe is a principal in the Eastside Union School District, where she works at Enterprise Elementary School in Lancaster, according to the district website.
Kruppe had a scheduled court appearance in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday.
