A California man who was involved in a fatal car accident on the night of June 15 has been charged with felony driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. Initial reports do not indicate what led California Highway Patrol officers to determine that the 33-year-old Cupertino resident was intoxicated when he lost control of his BMW M8 coupe. The felony DUI charge carries a maximum custodial sentence of 16 years in a state prison.
CHP says excessive speed and reckless driving played a role
According to a CHP report, the motor vehicle accident took place on State Road 85 in Santa Clara County at approximately 11:36 p.m. The man is said to have been proceeding southbound and traveling at a speed well in excess of the posted limit when his BMW struck a Subaru sedan with a 67-year-old San Jose woman behind the wheel. Officers say that the man was attempting to change lanes at the time. The force of the impact propelled the Subaru into a Hyundai sedan, which then struck a Toyota sedan.
Hyundai driver dies after being rushed to hospital
The Cupertino man, his passenger and the drivers of the Subaru and Toyota were not seriously hurt in the drunk driving crash, but the 61-year-old Hollister woman behind the wheel of the Hyundai was critically injured. Paramedics arrived at the scene within minutes and transported the woman in an ambulance to Valley Medical Center. She was pronounced dead upon arrival. The circumstances surrounding the crash are still being investigated by the CHP. Road users who may have seen the events unfold have been asked to step forward.
Pursuing civil remedies against an incarcerated defendant
Drivers in California who get behind the wheel after taking drugs or drinking can be sent to prison for years if they cause accidents that kill or seriously injure other road users. While this may deter others from behaving irresponsibly, it places accident victims who wish to be compensated for their injury, loss or damage in a difficult position. If you have been injured or had a loved one killed by a reckless driver who is likely to be incarcerated, an experienced personal injury attorney may still seek compensation on your behalf by filing a lawsuit against their insurance company or estate.
