Palm Desert Blog of Lawyer Dale S. Gribow

Recently, in the news, a 24-year old man was sentenced to 20 years and four months to life in prison for killing a woman in a drunken-driving crash – he ran a red light and crashed into her vehicle.

A jury convicted him of second-degree murder in the death of a 20-year old girl.  In addition, he was found guilty of one count of felony hit-and-run resulting in death and one count of possession of cocaine.

This was his second DUI offense.  He was convicted of misdemeanor drunken driving several years ago.  At that time the court told him if he ever killed someone because of driving drunk, he would be charged with murder.

California DUI charges come with severe consequences, especially when a person is killed.  Fighting a drunk-driving charge is not easy.  If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you need a qualified and experienced Riverside Criminal Law attorney in your corner to make sure your rights are protected.

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A 25-year old West Covina man was ordered to stand trial on second-degree murder charges after killing two women, ages 75 and 43, on Interstate 10 near Coachella while he was driving drunk.  Three other passengers in the victim’s car were taken to a nearby hospital for minor to moderate injuries.

He was arrested when he tried to run across freeway lanes and came across a dirt embankment which was too steep to cross.   He is facing two felony counts of second-degree murder and one count each of assault with a deadly weapon (his vehicle) on a police officer, driving under the influence causing injury and evading arrest and a misdemeanor count of resisting a police officer.

Several minutes before the fatal crash occurred, he had been pulled over by CHP officers on suspicion of speeding.  A CHP officer, at the preliminary hearing, stated that the driver had admitted that he drank alcohol and smoked marijuana all day.

The 25-year old man is in custody in lieu of $2 million bail.  If you are arrested for driving under the influence, especially if you injured or killed someone, contact an experienced Riverside County Criminal Law attorney who will provide you with extensive experience that results in a well-thought out plan of action.

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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.

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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