In California, DUI causing injury is known as a wobbler offense. This means that the offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the accident. These circumstances include the prior history of the intoxicated driver and the extent of the injuries suffered by the victims. In cases where the injured or deceased party is a bystander or a passenger, the charge may automatically be a felony.
A person convicted of felony DUI causing injuries faces a penalty of up to three years in prison, up to thirty months in DUI school, a five-year license suspension, and incidents that result in serious bodily injury may lead to more prison time. The suspect will also have to pay restitution to the victims and families of those injured in the accident.
Record Net reports that two people were injured, and a suspected DUI driver arrested in a rollover crash near Valley Springs.
The crash occurred on June 23rd at about 9:50 p.m. on Highway 26.
The CHP arrested 26-year-old Brandon Maggard on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Maggard was driving a 1990 Chevrolet Camaro westbound when he misjudged a curve in the road. This caused the vehicle to veer into the eastbound lanes where Maggard lost control of the Camaro.
The car then traveled back into the westbound lanes and off the north shoulder. The vehicle overturned, ejecting both Maggard and his passenger, 32-year-old Katie Thompson. Neither Thompson nor Maggard were wearing seatbelts and both were ejected from the vehicle.
The initial investigation by the CHP led to Maggard being arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.
