The Mercury News reports that a fatal accident on Highway 237 kills one passenger and ends with a teenager arrested for DUI.
The incident occurred before 5:03 a.m. on Sunday morning. The California Highway Patrol received a report of a person walking on the shoulder of Highway 237 westbound. She was near the transition to Highway 101 north.
Officers noticed injuries consistent with a traffic accident. She reported to officers that she had been in a car wreck. Officers determined that she had been the driver in an accident where a pickup truck crashed into a tree off the highway ramp.
According to the CHP, the Chevy Silverado pickup was moving on 101 north and taking the ramp that connects to 237 west. The truck left the roadway and struck a tree. The truck was found on the roof.
A passenger in the truck, identified as a 21-year-old female was killed in the accident.
The teenaged driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
In California, the legal age to purchase and consume alcohol is 21. For underage drivers caught with alcohol in their systems, the penalties can vary. The outcome depends greatly upon the amount of alcohol found in the driver’s system. Between .01% and .04%, the penalty is the loss of a driver’s license for a year. Between .05% and .08%, the penalty is loss of driver’s license for one year, a fine of $100, and mandatory participation in a DUI class. If the blood alcohol content is .08% or greater, the driver will face the same penalties as an adult charged with DUI.
