Palm Desert Blog of Lawyer Dale S. Gribow

A 47-year old man out for a ride on his motorcycle in Riverside County was killed by a suspected drunk driver in a pickup truck.  After the incident he was taken to a nearby hospital where he died shortly after.

California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) states, it is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.”

California Penal Code Section 191.5(a) states, “A driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges.”  The 30-year old driver was charged with drunk driving and gross vehicular manslaughter.

If the driver is found guilty of these criminal charges, he can be held civilly liable for the victim’s wrongful death.  The family should contact an experienced Riverside Personal Injury attorney who will fight for the rights of the family and the victim.

written by Author \\ tags: arrest, attorney, Criminal Law, Driver negligence, Drunk Driving, gross vehicular manslaughter, jail, motorcyclist, truck, victim

A 26-year old Cathedral City man is facing serious problems.  Not only is he being accused of driving while under the influence and killing a 24-year old man in a wheelchair, but he is also being accused of a hit-and-run.

He is being charged with DUI gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run leading to death.  The man pleaded not guilty to felony charges.  It seems there is security footage from a neighbor’s home showing the Cathedral City man knocking the 24-year old out of his wheelchair, which the police now have in their possession.  Family members are angry because he pleaded not guilty when they have proof he killed their son and brother.

The victim’s nephew followed the Cathedral City man and then alerted police of his whereabouts.  The bail for the defendant was set at $150,000.  If convicted, he is facing a maximum of 19 years in prison.

He was scheduled to have surgery next week to help him walk again.  I hope the family contacts an experienced Riverside County Criminal Law attorney so they can possibly file a wrongful death lawsuit and get reimbursed for the loss of their family member and expenses incurred.

written by Author \\ tags: Add new tag, alcohol, attorney, Criminal Law, disabled person, DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter, Hit-and-run, prison, victim, wheelchair, young male driver

An 8-year old boy told police recently that his mom had been drinking beer and cursing while waiting outside a high school for his 17-year old brother.

Moments later, while driving at a high speed, the woman lost control, hitting a concrete light pole, and killing his 9-year old sister and injuring his brother.  The little girl and 17-year old were not wearing seat belts – they were thrown from the vehicle.  The older boy suffered a broken back.  Another child, a 16-year old brother, came upon the scene while walking home.

The 41-year old mother is being charged with second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of marijuana and alcohol, and driving with a blood-alcohol level more than .08% - it was almost three times the legal limit. She has pleaded not guilty.

Court records show in the 1990s, the woman had three misdemeanor DUI convictions and one felony DUI conviction.  Her license had been suspended from 1994 to 2009.

Police found an empty beer can in the vehicle and 11 more empty cans at home.  The accident is under investigation.  She is being held at a Detention Center in Riverside with bail set at $1 million.  The father of three of the children said she was depressed because she recently lost her job and she would not do anything intentionally to harm her children.

written by Author \\ tags: alcohol & drugs, arrested, attorney, children, Criminal Law, DUI, fatal accident, gross vehicular manslaughter, mother, second-degree murder, vehicle accident

A 31-year old woman, while driving on a road in Corona crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into 19-year old woman in 2008.  The 31-year old woman is a former ambulance driver and emergency medical technician.  The 19-year old woman died a few hours later at a nearby hospital.  The woman was arrested and released on $75,000 bail.  About a year later she fled to Mexico but was found by Mexican authorities and returned to the United States.

Recently she pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while DUI and driving on a suspended license.  Today she is in a Riverside County jail with bail set at $5 million.  Reports indicate that the woman had been drinking at a bar prior to the accident.

written by Author \\ tags: attorney, Criminal Law, Driver negligence, DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter, second-degree murder, traffic violations