In California, DUI is an offense that is known as “priorable.” This means that previous DUI offenses can be considered and can make the penalties for a current DUI more severe. The only DUIs that will count towards stiffer penalties are those that have occurred in the previous ten years. When it comes to DUI accidents that cause injuries or death, these can also enhance the penalties for a DUI. If another person dies, a person can find themselves facing charges of gross vehicular manslaughter or even second-degree murder.
NBC Los Angeles reports on a DUI accident that claimed the life of a toddler and has a man facing multiple charges.
Last Tuesday, a Gardena man learned that he would be facing several criminal charges in response to his role in an alleged DUI accident that killed a 2-year-old boy.
32-year-old George Edward Milton, Jr. is facing charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, and driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08% causing injury.
These charges stem from an incident where Milton drove his SUV onto a sidewalk, fatally striking a toddler who was walking with his mother. The toddler’s mother was three months pregnant at the time of the accident.
The incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 20th. Allegedly, Milton’s SUV swerved out of the roadway and onto the sidewalk, striking the toddler. Milton then allegedly placed the SUV in reverse and ran over the toddler a second time.
Witnesses to the accident reported that Milton attempted to leave the scene, but they were able to subdue him until police arrived.
If convicted on all charges, Milton faces a possibility of 25 years in state prison. Milton has a previous conviction of arson of property from 2006.
