Normally, a DUI in California is charged as a misdemeanor. This is especially the case with a first time DUI, unless people have been seriously injured or are killed in a DUI accident. Under these circumstances, the DUI can be charged as a felony. The penalties for a felony DUI are much steeper than a misdemeanor DUI. The prison sentence for a felony DUI is much longer than that of a misdemeanor DUI. Even if your driving record is cleared of the DUI conviction after ten years, the felony can remain on your record and affect future DUI charges and convictions, even if the felony DUI conviction is later expunged. The Sacramento Bee reports on a man facing felony DUI charges for a DUI accident that killed his passenger.
For 28 miles between Nevada City and Highway 80, Highway 20 is known as a “scenic route,” and has no services along the roadway.
This stretch of highway was the scene of an accident that claimed the life of a 35-year-old Grass Valley man.
The accident happened on Saturday, August 4th near Nevada City.
The California Highway Patrol reported that a Toyota Tacoma was headed west towards Grass Valley and was approximately 9 miles east of the intersection with Highway 49.
At about 6 p.m., the driver turned off of the roadway, resulting in the vehicle losing traction, eventually veering back onto the westbound lanes.
The car overturned multiple times.
Dylan Shively died at the scene of the accident due to the injuries he suffered.
The driver, identified as 33-year-old Joshua Robinson, was arrested at the scene. He is facing charges of felony DUI. He, too, suffered serious injuries that required him to be airlifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center.