Fatal DUI in California

Posted on October 9, 2008
Filed Under Criminal Law, DUI |

A tour bus carrying people to a Casino in Northern California crashed, killing eight people and sending dozens to area hospitals.  Patrol officers believe the bus owner was Daniel Cobb, 68, who died in the crash.  The accident happened in early October. 

The driver, who didn’t have a proper license to carry passengers and the vehicle had an invalid license plate, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.  A witness said the bus carrying 42 passengers to Colusa Casino Resort drifted off a rural two-lane road before the driver “overcorrected” and swerved back. It overturned and rolled completely over, ending up on its wheels facing the opposite direction. About 30 people were injured.

Many people charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in California have a particularly difficult time dealing with their criminal charge, often because it is the first crime with which they have ever been charged. DUI or DWI charges are made against approximately 1.5 million drivers every year. These arrests can result in serious consequences. A person who is convicted of a DUI or DWI can face heavy fees and penalties, a loss of driving privileges, and may be sentenced to serve jail time.

There are a slew of penalties, including stiff jail time, for anyone found guilty of a DUI in an accident that causes harm to another person.  California Vehicle Code 23558 covers DUI with Bodily Injury inflicted on another person.  It adds additional penalties for bodily injury or death while DUI: an EXTRA year in the state prison for each victim harmed in any one DUI related incident.  The maximum number of victim one year addon sentences that may be attached under this section are three total.

Written by Joe M

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