In California, a DUI is a serious charge, but it is usually a misdemeanor. While this could mean some time spent in jail and a fine, a felony DUI can be much worse. There are several ways that a DUI can be charged as a felony in California. The first is if the driver has three previous DUI convictions within ten years. DUIs from other states can count towards this law. The second way a DUI can become a felony is if the driver has a previous felony DUI conviction. Typically, if the driver has a previous felony DUI, subsequent DUIs are charged as felonies. A third way a DUI can be charged as a felony is if there are serious injuries or deaths as a result of the DUI.
The Murrieta Patch reports that a woman was killed in a suspected DUI crash near Murrieta.
The crash occurred at about 4:05 p.m. on Friday. 43-year-old Amy Litteral was stopped at a traffic light at the corner of Winchester and Thompson Roads.
34-year-old Joshua Morris was driving south on Winchester at a high rate of speed. He slammed into the rear of Litteral’s vehicle at a high rate of speed. According to the report, Morris did not hit the brakes before the impact.
The initial impact with Morris’ vehicle shoved Litteral into the intersection, where it was hit by a third car that was turning east on Winchester.
Litteral was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries. A passenger in Morris’ car was also injured and transported to the hospital.
Morris was arrested and is facing charges of felony DUI and murder. He is being held on $1 million bail.
