DUI drug in California is much like a DUI alcohol, except that depending on the drug, there can be additional charges, like possession. Virtually any drug, legal or otherwise, can lead to a DUI drugs charge if it affects a person’s ability to drive. Police will often look for cues that imply intoxication. They may even call a special kind of officer, known as a drug recognition expert (DRE). This officer will evaluate certain signs that intoxication may be present. The person will likely have to submit to a blood or urine test, as required by California’s implied consent laws. The penalties are similar to a regular alcohol DUI but added charges may apply.
The Press-Enterprise reports on a suspected drug DUI that led to a six-vehicle chain reaction crash.
25-year-old Javier Caldera was arrested Tuesday on charges of suspicion of DUI drugs, murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, hit-and-run resulting in property damage, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
The charges stem from a Tuesday morning collision that began a chain reaction crash, eventually involving six vehicles.
The crash occurred at about 7:25 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the 15 Freeway, shutting down lanes for approximately four hours. A dashcam video caught the initial collision, where a speeding truck slammed into the back of a Nissan Altima. Caldera was behind the wheel of the truck.
44-year-old Janet Genao of Murrieta died following the collision.
While trying to avoid the initial collision, a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 flew off of the freeway, striking a City Hall parking building. The driver of that truck sustained major injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
Two more vehicles wound up colliding with the initial crashed cars. The drivers of those vehicles had minor injuries.
